Taxpayer's Tab: According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), H.R. 41 would increase federal spending by $9.3 billion over the 2013-2017 period.

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Most Expensive Bill of the Week

The Bill: H.R. 41, a bill to temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program

Annualized Cost: $1.9 billion ($9.3 billion over five years)

For much of January, the 113th Congress was focused on passing legislation to help assist Americans affected by Hurricane Sandy. The $50.1 billion Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (examined in the January 10th edition of The Taxpayer's Tab) was signed into law on Tuesday. However, another bill, H.R. 41, had already been enacted earlier. The measure raised the borrowing limit of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

This program provides flood insurance to property owners in communities that make an agreement with the federal government to enforce floodplain management ordinances. The NFIP was created in 1968 with the intention that it would be self-sustaining via flood insurance premiums. However, the program frequently must borrow money from the Treasury to cover operating expenses and insurance claims after catastrophic events. The Government Accountability Office includes the NFIP on its "High Risk List" of federal programs because "it likely will not generate sufficient revenues to repay the billions of dollars borrowed from the Treasury Department to cover claims from the 2005 hurricanes or future catastrophic losses."

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the NFIP currently has 114,000 claims in the Northeast and officials feared the program would be out of funds in early January. According to Insurance Journal, the number of claims could increase to 139,000.

H.R. 41 increases the program's borrowing authority by nearly $10 billion. The bill was introduced by Representative Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and had 44 cosponsors. Congressman Garrett said, "I certainly believe that those who have bought flood insurance should expect to receive the coverage they paid for ... [and so] a temporary increase in NFIP's borrowing limit is required."

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), H.R. 41 would increase federal spending by $9.3 billion over the 2013-2017 period. An additional $440 million would also be spent in FY 2018. There are no offsets included in the proposal.

To learn more or discuss this bill visit WashingtonWatch.com.

The Least Expensive Bill of the Week

The Bill: H.R. 396, Congressional Pay Adjustment Act

Annualized Savings: $19 million (first-year savings)

All Members of Congress receive a salary of at least $174,000 as well as other benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and up to $1.6 million for office expenses through their Member Representational Allowance. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) introduced H.R. 396 to reduce the pay of Members of the House and Senate by 20 percent. The bill would also prohibit any salary raises unless the government has a balanced budget. Under current law, Members automatically receive annual cost-of-living adjustments unless Congress votes not to accept it.

Congresswoman Jenkins said that "Members of Congress should not be rewarded for continuing to rack up red ink. When companies report a loss, they do not give their employees a raise. It should be the same for Congress."

Below is a breakdown of the different pay scales available to elected federal legislators:

Using data from the Congressional Research Service, NTUF determined that H.R. 396 would save taxpayers $19 million in FY 2013.

To learn more or discuss this bill visit WashingtonWatch.com.

Other legislation that would reduce the salaries for Members of Congress includes:

• H.R. 150, the Congressional Pay Reduction Act, that would reduce Congressional salaries by five percent at a $5 million annual savings. Sponsored by Congressman Kevin Yoder (R-KS).
• H.R. 398, a bill to To reduce the rate of pay for Members of Congress by 10 percent and to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members, a $10 million annual savings. Sponsored by Congressman David Loebsack (D-IA).

Most Friended

The Bill: S. 177, a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 entirely

Annualized Savings: $63.9 million ($319.5 billion over five years)

Number of Cosponsors: 34 Senators

Last week, the Senate began introducing legislation for consideration in the 113th Congress. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) sponsored a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was examined in the January 10th edition of The Taxpayer's Tab.

If enacted, the bill would save taxpayers $319.5 billion in the first five years. NTUF's Director of Research Demian Brady determined the savings using CBO budget data.

All 33 Senate cosponsors of S. 177 are Republicans.

To learn more or discuss this bill visit WashingtonWatch.com.

The Bill: S. 84, the Paycheck Fairness Act

Annualized Cost: $3 million ($15 million over five years)

Number of Cosponsors: 34 Senators

Senators also rallied around S. 84, the Paycheck Fairness Act, sponsored by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). All 33 cosponsors caucus with the Democratic Party. The bill would enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements and authorize $15 million over five years for federal training regarding wage discrimination and a new grant program to teach negotiation skills training for girls and women. The bill’s House companion, H.R. 377, has 150 cosponsors.

To learn more or discuss this bill visit WashingtonWatch.com.

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Missed an Issue?

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Medicaid Payment Fairness to the Territories Act

Issue 2 - Jan 17
Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act

Issue 1 - Jan 10
Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013

Issue 31 - Dec 21
NTUF Scores Thousands of Bills

Issue 30 - Dec 13
Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act