As the House considers amendments to H.R. 2250, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, NTU urges Representatives to support those amendments that would help to restrain spending and address waste in Congress. To that end, NTU will consider “YES” votes on the following amendments to be the pro-taxpayer position:
Amendment #7: Blackburn (R-TN): This amendment would save taxpayers money by implementing a one percent across-the-board spending cut, with the exception of the Capitol Police, Architect of the Capitol, and Sergeant at Arms.
Amendment #13: Ratcliffe (R-TX): This amendment would save taxpayers $5.7 million dollars by eliminating funding for the Open World Leadership Center. This cultural exchange program is unnecessary, duplicative and has outlived any usefulness it may have had. “Its original purpose was a one-time program, and as things go in Washington, a one-time life continues on into perpetuity, and we believe this is the right time to bring that to an end,” according to Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA), the Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman. Former Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) recommended eliminating expenditures related to the Center in his 2011 “Back in Black” deficit reduction report.
Roll call votes on the above amendments to H.R. 2250 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift at (703) 683-5700