NTUF In the NewsIn August, NTUF released a study of the proposed spending agendas of the legislators named to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. The 12 Congressmen and Senators, who will be responsible for finding at least $1.15 trillion in spending cuts before November, have very different fiscal records. Below are some of the mentions NTUF has recieved since the report was released: NTUF Partners with Washington Watch 
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August SnapshotNTUF presents another monthly overview of the bills we scored in the month of August. 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 will be revised as additional information becomes available. Links to Member reports are for the previous Congress. By The NumbersDuring the month of August, NTUF analysts analyzed 318 bills to determine their impact on federal spending. Of those, 185 were House bills. In the Senate, NTUF scored 133 bills of which two bills were introduced in August. Net federal spending would increase by approximately $1.17 trillion annually if all 185 House bills were enacted (see below). Totals exclude offsetting provisions. The largest spending increase bills include legislation to establish a single-payer universal health care system, provide increased funding for youth employment programs, and repeal cuts in Medicare hospital payments scheduled in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Large spending cut proposals include bills to reduce the size of the federal workforce through attrition, freeze federal workforce hirings, and allow the importation of prescription drugs. House Bills Scored by NTUF in August | | | Number of Bills | Net Annualized Cost/Savings
(in millions of $) | Average Cost/Savings
(in millions of $) | Average Number of Sponsors | | Spending Increase Bills | 48 | $1,181,030 | $24,605 | 13.5 | | Spending Cut Bills | 12 | ($13,568) | ($1,234) | 12.8 | | No Cost Bills | 118 | $0 | $0 | 11.0 | | Excluded* | 7 | N/A | N/A | 15.1 | | Total | 185 | $1,167,462 | | |
* Excluded Bills are not applicable under BillTally Methodology
Source: NTUF BillTally System |
The 133 Senate bills scored within the month of August would result in approximately $57.0 billion of new annual federal spending, if all of the bills were enacted (see below). Totals exclude offsetting provisions. The largest spending increase bills would establish a drug research and development fund while prohibiting private drug patents, establish a HIV/AIDS research and development fund, and allocate more tax dollars for schools to increase graduation rates. Top savings proposals would rescind $45 billion in unobligated funds, repeal an excise tax on medical device manufacturers established in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and reform medical liability laws. Senate Bills Scored by NTUF in August | | | Number of Bills | Net Annualized Cost/Savings
(in millions of $) | Average Cost/Savings
(in millions of $) | Average Number of Sponsors | | Spending Increase Bills | 56 | $116,574 | $2,082 | 7.1 | | Spending Cut Bills | 20 | ($59,528) | ($3,307) | 7.0 | | No Cost Bills | 56 | $0 | $0 | 5.6 | | Excluded* | 1 | N/A | N/A | 2.0 | | Total | 133 | $57,046 | | |
* Excluded Bills are not applicable under BillTally Methodology
Source: NTUF BillTally System |
Know Your Cut BillsWith the addition of the 12 House and 20 Senate cost savings bills scored in August, NTUF's savings bill list for the 112th Congress now contains 146 bills. The 12 House savings bills, excluding overlapping measures, would cut $13.6 billion. The Senate's 20 bills would cut $59.5 billion, also excluding overlapping measures. The full spreadsheet can be accessed here. House StatsThe following sponsorship figures are based on the House bills that were scored by NTUF within the month of August (totals include both sponsors and cosponsors): Senate StatsThe following sponsorship figures are based on the Senate bills that were scored by NTUF within the month of August (totals include both sponsors and cosponsors): Friendship CircleCosponsoring 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 Most Friended Senate Bills- Spending Increase Bill: S. 951, Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 - 32 cosponsors - sponsored by Patty Murray (WA)
- Spending Cut Bill: S. 395, Better Use of Light Bulbs Act - 29 cosponsors - sponsored by Michael Enzi (WY)
- No Cost Bill: S. 1420, Ensuring the Full Faith and Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors Act - 33 cosponsors - sponsored by Pat Toomey (PA)
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July Snapshot
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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. 
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