As the House considers H.R. 7617, the second spending package of six appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2021, NTU urges all Representatives to support amendments that reduce expenditures, eliminate waste, increase efficiency, reduce regulatory burdens, and otherwise uphold free market principles.
To that end, NTU urges a “YES” vote on the following amendments:
Amd. 149, (filed as #69) Walberg (R-MI), Rush (D-IL), Amash (L-MI), Gabbard (D-HI), McClintock (R-CA), and Raskin (D-MD): This bipartisan amendment would restrict the ability of federal enforcement officers to seize private property using civil asset forfeiture powers. This widespread abuse is a clear violation of constitutionally granted due process protections. Too often, individuals face a costly, uphill battle to retrieve their assets, during which time they may fall behind on payroll, rent, mortgage, and other basic expenses. Civil forfeiture has clearly changed from a crime fighting program to one which unfairly ensnares innocent individuals. **This amendment vote will be significantly weighted in NTU’s yearly Congressional ratings.**
Amd. 219, (filed as #53) Allen (R-GA): This amendment would reduce non-defense spending in the Labor-Health and Human Services sections (Division F) of the underlying bill by 5 percent. With multi-trillion dollar deficits now a reality, along with record debt, it is important that legislators take every opportunity to demonstrate both the willingness and ability to rein in spending.
Amd. 225, (filed as #24) Bishop (R-NC): This amendment would prohibit HHS funds from being used to delay or stop implementation of the Administration’s Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) regulations. The Administration’s expansion of HRA options was a great step forward for expanding workers’ health coverage options, and should continue through 2020, 2021, and beyond.
NTU also urges a “NO” vote on the following amendments:
Amd. 148, (filed as #1) Underwood (D-IL): This amendment would prohibit the Department of Justice from using funds to litigate any court case that challenges the constitutionality of any provision of the Affordable Care Act. If enacted, it would force the DOJ to end its role in current proceedings in Texas v. United States.
Amd. 151, (filed as #23) Barragan (D-CA) & Pressley (D-MA): This amendment would increase funding for grants to deploy solar energy systems by $25 million without providing any spending offset.
Amd. 167, (filed as #28) Jayapal (D-WA) Tonko (D-NY) & Pressley (D-MA): This amendment would increase funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program by $250 million without providing any spending offset.
Amd. 173, (filed as #30) Malinowski (D-NJ): This amendment would increase spending by $25 million in unoffset funding to advance the deployment of electric charging stations and other green infrastructure initiatives. Consumers have every right to purchase electric vehicles. It should not fall on taxpayers to fulfill market voids in charging stations.
Amd. 186, (filed as #16) Stanton (D-AZ) & Veasey (D-TX) Tonko (D-NY) & Pressley (D-MA): This amendment would increase funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant by $250 million without providing any spending offsets.
Amd. 209, (filed as #3) Pascrell (D-NJ) & Kaptur (D-OH): This amendment would provide taxpayer funding for a postal banking pilot program within the financially challenged United States Postal Service (USPS). Concerningly, putting the USPS in charge of deposits jeopardizes the financial security of many Americans as this government entity has virtually no experience in loan underwriting and doesn’t even have its own financial accounts in order. Entry by the USPS -- which would rely on taxpayer dollars to mask its own inefficiencies -- into financial services would provide a significant competitive advantage compared to credit unions and banks. **This amendment vote will be significantly weighted in NTU’s yearly Congressional ratings.**
Amd. 315, (filed as #3) Gabbard (D-HI), Case (D-HI) & Smucker (R-PA): This misguided amendment would strike language in the underlying bill that requires certain communities within 40 miles of an airport enter into a cost-share agreement in order to be eligible for the essential air service (EAS). The provision in the bill helps keep the EAS from offering duplicative services to communities who already have air service.
Amd. 260, (filed as #95) Levin (D-MI): This amendment prohibits any of the funds made available by this Act to be used by the Department of Education for Education Freedom Scholarship private school vouchers.
Roll call votes on these amendments will be included in NTU’s annual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Policy and Government Affairs Manager Thomas Aiello at Thomas.Aiello@ntu.org