Taxpayer's Tab: NTUF Reviews Legislation from July in its July Snapshot

NTUF Partners with Washington Watch

NTUF is pleased to announce a new partnership with WashingtonWatch.com, an independent, interactive web site that tracks the potential fiscal impact of federal legislation. The fiscal estimates generated by NTUF’s BillTally system will now help to power WashingtonWatch’s cost calculations. The estimates featured in The Tab each week -- plus hundreds more -- will now appear on WashingtonWatch.com to make their cost calculations even more robust.

Since 1991, NTUF has computed the legislative spending agendas of Members of Congress by analyzing the costs -- and savings -- of the bills that they sponsor and cosponsor. With this new partnership, you will be able to see how those costs affect you, your family, and the national debt. At WashingtonWatch, you will also be able to read what others think about the bill and share your opinions as well. Don’t miss your opportunity to speak out!

With this new partnership, The Taxpayer's Tab will also be changing to help you keep an eye on Congress:

• To give your own input, opinions, and research, click on the WashingtonWatch.com icon. You will go directly to that bill's page!
• To get the latest information on the bill you're reading about, click on the Taxpayer's Tab hat icon. You will be directed to an issue of the Taxpayer's Tab that featured that bill!

July Snapshot

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) presents another monthly overview of the bills we scored in the month of July. The latest BillTally data includes cost estimates of both spending and savings bills, along with how many members of Congress support the legislative measures. Please note that these estimates are preliminary and NTUF continually updates BillTally research using third party and Congressional sources. Links to Member reports are for the previous Congress.

By The Numbers

During the month of July, NTUF analysts analyzed 551 bills to determine their impact on federal spending. Of those, 358 were House bills with 133 bills introduced in the past month. In the Senate, NTUF scored 193 bills of which 40 bills were introduced in July.

Net federal spending would increase by approximately $47 billion annually if all 358 House bills were enacted (see below). Totals exclude offsetting provisions. The largest spending increase bills include legislation to directly fund jobs programs, expand benefits for veterans able to receive concurrent compensation, and adjust Social Security benefits for so-called Notch Babies. Large spending cut proposals include bills to repeal reporting requirement authorized in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, rescind Medicaid maintenance of effort requirements for states, and defund foreign aid spending for Pakistan.

The 193 Senate bills scored within the month of July would decrease federal spending by approximately $82.5 billion annually, if all of the bills were enacted (see below). Totals exclude offsetting provisions. The largest spending increase bills would establish a roadway safety program for elderly drivers, award education grants to high-need schools, and implement a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for veterans of the Armed Forces. These were more than offset by a proposal to reform the Tax Code and eliminate refundable credits.

Know Your Cut Bills

With the addition of the 8 House and 4 Senate cost savings bills scored in July, NTUF's savings bill list for the 112th Congress now contains 115 bills. The 8 House savings bills, excluding overlapping measures, would cut $45.9 billion. The Senate's 4 bills would cut $85.8 billion, also excluding overlapping measures. The full spreadsheet can be accessed here.

House Stats

The following sponsorship figures are based on the House bills that were scored by NTUF within the month of July (totals include both sponsors and cosponsors):

• Most Bills Overall: 36 by Bob Filner (CA-51) and Raul Grijalva (AZ-7)
• Most Spending Bills: 15 by Raul Grijalva (AZ-7)
• Most Cut Bills: 3 by Larry Buschon (IN-8), Gregg Harper (MS-3), and Todd Rokita (IN-4)
• Most No Cost Bills: 24 by Bob Filner (CA-51) and Ron Paul (TX-14)

Senate Stats

The following sponsorship figures are based on the Senate bills that were scored by NTUF within the month of July (totals include both sponsors and cosponsors):

• Most Bills Overall: 23 by Mark Begich (AK)
• Most Spending Bills: 9 by Sherrod Brown (OH)
• Most Cut Bills: 3 by Richard Shelby (AL)
• Most No Cost Bills: 16 by Roy Blunt (MO)

Friendship Circle

Cosponsoring bills not only shows direct support for specific legislation but it can provide insight into national issues. Below are bills that had the most cosponsors in BillTally's three established bill categories. You can join the discussion with fellow citizens and policy experts at WashingtonWatch.com.

Most Friended House Bills

• Spending Increase Bill: H.R. 178, Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act - 146 cosponsors - sponsored by Joe Wilson (SC-2)
• Spending Cut Bill: H.R. 2401, Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011 - 33 cosponsors - sponsored by John Sullivan (OK-1)
• No Cost Bill: H.R. 2527, Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2011 - 296 cosponsors - sponsored by Richard Hanna (NY-24)

Most Friended Senate Bills

• Spending Increase Bill: S. 1025, National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2011 - 49 cosponsors - sponsored by Patick Leahy (VT)
• Spending Cut Bill: S. 868, State Flexibility Act - 25 cosponsors - sponsored by Orrin Hatch (UT)
• No Cost Bill: S. 1048, Job Protection Act - 60 cosponsors - sponsored by Robert Menendez (NJ)

Missed an Issue of The Tab?

Read them online

Issue 25 - Aug 2

Issue 24 - July 26

Issue 23 - July 20

Issue 22 - July 12
June Snapshot