In the debate on H.R. 2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation Appropriations Bill, numerous amendments will be offered, many of which involve fiscal matters. NTU is continuing to issue Vote Alerts on these proposals as we are made aware of them. At this point in the process we commend your attention to the following three items:
- Vote “YES” on Amendment 814. Introducedby Sen. Crapo (R-ID), this amendment would prohibit any funds from being usedby the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to promulgate any final rules untilcertain requirements are met, such as an analysis of the regulations’ impact oneconomic growth and job creation. As the unintended effects of the debitinterchange fee have recently made clear, the unprecedented scope and pace ofnew regulations that are arising from the Dodd-Frank Act could have seriousconsequences on taxpayers and businesses. Among other protections, thisamendment would ensure a more deliberative process to better understand thepotential impacts of proposed rules.
- Vote “NO”on Amendment 857. Sponsored by Sen. Menendez (D-NJ), thisamendment would restore the recently expired maximum conforming limits on loansinsured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Extending higher FHA loanlimits would increase the risk and size of a potential taxpayer-funded bailoutas well as continue the federal government’s counterproductive involvement in thehousing market.
- Vote “YES” on Amendment 860. Introducedby Sen. Grassley (R-IA) this amendment, would implement a number of longoverdue accountability measures in the Department of Justice (DOJ) grantprocess, including a requirement that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG)of the DOJ conduct an audit of at least 10 percent of grant recipients. Thisinformation would then be used to prevent future award resources from flowingto grantees with unremedied negative audit findings and give priority to thosewith a clean track record of audits. Recent examinations by the OIG of DOJgrant awards have revealed a number of serious concerns, such as notaccomplishing project goals, failing to maintain adequate accounting records,and making unauthorized expenditures. The oversight measures would help to putan end to the waste, fraud, and abuse that has characterized the DOJ grantprocess in recent years.
Roll call votes on the aforementioned amendments will be significantly weighted in our annual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Brandon Greife at(703) 683-5700