Vol. 1 Issue 10, September 8, 2010
August Snapshot
At the beginning of each month, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) brings you a different kind of Taxpayer's Tab -- a roundup of the bills scored during the previous month. The BillTally data includes cost estimates of both cost and savings bills, along with their sponsors and cosponsors.
By The Numbers
Even though Congress was in recess during most of August, NTUF analysts poured over earlier legislation and found estimates for 280 bills. Of those, 184 were House bills with zero bills introduced in the past month. Of the 96 scored Senate bills, 4 were sponsored in August.
The 184 House bills scored during the month of August would increase spending by approximately $99.5 billion annually if all bills were enacted (see below). The largest spending increase bills include expanding the Tax Code, home ownership assistance, and extending the Medicaid Federal medical assistance percentage, or FMAP. Cost cutting bills included a federal employee pay freeze, the repeal of a tax credit, rescinding funds for building a medical facility, terminating the Trade and Development Agency, and a retirement reform measure for the United States Secret Service.
The 96 Senate bills scored within the month of August would increase spending by approximately $62.9 billion on an annual basis if all bills were enacted (see below). As in July, only a single bill, S. 3653, which would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, would decrease federal spending. The largest spending increase bills included extending unemployment insurance benefits, funding local job creation and "green" energy initiatives, modifying the dependent care tax credit, and authorizing a competitive skills education program.
House Bills Scored by NTUF in August | ||||
Number of Bills | Net Annaulized Cost/Savings (in millions of $) | Average Cost/Savings (in millions of $) | Average Number of Sponsors | |
| Spending Increase Bills* | 123 | $101,741 | $827 | 12.8 |
| Spending Cut Bills | 6 | ($2,249) | ($321) | 7.7 |
| No Cost Bills | 54 | $0 | $0 | 9.9 |
| Total | 184 | $99,492 | ||
* Includes four bills from the First Session report whose cost estimates were updated. | ||||
Know Your Cut Bills
With the addition of the 6 House and 1 Senate cost savings bills scored in August, the NTUF savings bill list for the 111th Congress currently contains 139 bills. The 97 House savings bills, excluding overlapping measures, would cut $512.4 billion. The Senate's 42 savings bills would cut $203.7 billion, excluding offsetting provisions. H.R. 5604 was originally listed as a savings bill, however, the Congressional Budget Office reported the legislation would not affect outlays. The full spreadsheet can be accessed here.
Senate Bills Scored by NTUF in August | ||||
Number of Bills | Net Annaulized Cost/Savings (in millions of $) | Average Cost/Savings (in millions of $) | Average Number of Sponsors | |
| Spending Increase Bills* | 73 | $62,914 | $862 | 5.3 |
| Spending Cut Bills | 1 | ($15) | ($15) | 12 |
| No Cost Bills** | 22 | $0 | $0 | 2.5 |
| Total | 96 | $62,899 | ||
** Includes one bill from the First Session report whose cost estimate was estimated with new information. | ||||
House Stats
The following sponsorship figures are based on the House bills that were scored by NTUF within the month of August (totals include both sponsor and cosponsorships):
- Most Bills Overall: 25 by Bob Filner (CA-51) and Eleanor Norton (DC)
- Most Spending Bills: 20 by Bob Filner (CA-51) and Eleanor Norton (DC)
- Most Cut Bills: 2 by John Linder (GA-7) and Ron Paul (TX-14)
- Most No Cost Bills: 6 by Joe Courtney (CT-2)
Senate Stats
The following sponsorship figures are based on the Senate bills that were scored by NTUF within the month of August (totals include both sponsor and cosponsorships):
- Most Bills Overall: 16 by Sherrod Brown (OH)
- Most Spending Bills: 16 by Sherrod Brown (OH)
- Most Cut Bills: The single savings bill (S. 3653) has the support of 12 Senators
- Most No Cost Bills: 4 by Daniel Akaka (HI) and Olympia Snowe (ME)
Friendship Circle
Cosponsoring bills not only shows direct support for specific legislation but it can provide insight when researching trends regarding national issues. Below are bills that had the most cosponsors in BillTally's three established bill categories.
Most Friended House Bills
- Spending Increase Bill: H.R. 5808, To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish a public health insurance option - 130 Cosponsors
- Spending Cut Bill: H.R. 1459, Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act - 19 Cosponsors
- No Cost Bill: H.R. 1549, Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act - 124 Cosponsors
Most Friended Senate Bills
- Spending Increase Bill: S. 1301, A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act - 35 Cosponsors
- Spending Cut Bill: S. 3653, Rebuilding Local Business Act - 12 Cosponsors
- No Cost Bill: S. 518, Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act - 12 Cosponsors
We Want You!NTUF is looking for late summer/fall associate policy analysts to participate in our internship program. Associates assist with BillTally research and other policy projects. Academic credit and a stipend are possible. Email questions to ntuf@ntu.org. To apply visit our internship page. Join us and help keep a tab on Congress! |
About NTUF The National Taxpayers Union Foundation is a research and educational organization dedicated solely to helping citizens of all generations understand how tax policies, spending programs, and regulations at all levels affect them now and in the future. Through NTUF's timely information, analysis, and commentary, we're empowering citizens to actively engage in the fiscal policy debate and hold public officials accountable every day. NTUF is a 501(c)(3) research and education organization. Donations are deductible for personal income tax purposes. Please make a donation today to help further NTUF's mission of research and education! This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to aid or hinder the passage of any legislation or as a comment on any Member's fitness to serve. Cosponsor information obtained from GovTrack.us. |