January 30, 2012: Legislative Update

Federal Budget & Spending


Still No Budget: Earlier this week marked the 1,000th day since the Senate has passed a real budget. Some on the left are trying to deny this by saying that the Senate has passed budgets and that the GOP controlled House is standing in the way. The facts are this: Obama signed one actual budget that was passed by the Democrat controlled Senate and House in 2009, when he first became President. Even though the Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress in 2010 as well, they refused to pass a budget and only passed Continuing Resolutions (CR). This was probably due to the fact that they had massively increased spending and writing a real budget would alert voters to this, while CR’s hid the increased spending. After the GOP took control of the House, they passed a real budget in 2011, only to see it die in the Senate. The Senate also voted down – unanimously – the President’s own budget. With the Senate’s refusal to pass anyone’s budget, the House and Senate passed more CR’s. Eventually the debt ceiling mess arose, and the deal worked out between the leadership of both the Democrats and the GOP was titled, “The Budget Control Act.” Using the word “budget” here does not mean it was actually a budget. For all intents and purposes, this was just another CR. It is absolutely false to state that the Senate has passed an actual budget. The only two budgets they have even voted on were both rejected.


• In just one term, President Obama has missed the budget deadline more than any other President.
• In the 90 years covering FY1923 through FY2013, President Obama is the only President to miss the deadline two years in a row. He is the only President who has missed the deadline in three of the four years of a term. And, he holds the record for the longest delay (at 98 days).
• Since the statutory deadline was extended to the first Monday in February, with the exception of the first budget for a new President, this deadline has only been missed three times: Clinton FY1998; Obama FY2012; and Obama FY 2013.
• The President’s flagrant disrespect for budget deadlines extends beyond the late submissions of his annual budget request. The President is required to submit a Midsession Review no later than July 16 each year. The President is required to submit a Financial Report of the U.S. Government no later than December 15. The President is required to submit a plan to shore up Medicare’s finances within 15 days of a funding warning by the Medicare Trustees. Not once has President Obama adhered to any of these deadlines. Read the full analysis here. http://budget.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Missing_in_Action_The_Presidents_Record_on_the_Budget.pdf

Budget Process Reforms: Part of the spending problem in DC stems from the way the budget is created. Some House members have proposed reforms to the budget process in order to make it easier to cut spending. There are three bills introduced with this in mind:

• HR 3582, The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2012 – This bill would require that for major legislation that CBO prepare an analysis of the effect that the legislation would have on the U.S. economy. This macroeconomic impact analysis would be supplemental information in addition to the official congressional cost estimate of the legislation.
• HR 3578, The Baseline Reform Act of 2012 – Under current law the baseline assumes ever higher spending as discretionary accounts are annually increased by inflation and for a number of other factors. This legislation levels the playing field and removes this pro-spending bias.
• HR3581, The Budget and Accounting Transparency Act of 2012 – This bill increases transparency in federal budgeting by reforming the way certain costs are calculated and requiring that certain costs incurred by the Federal government are included in the budget.

It would take up too much room to post the complete summaries of these bills here, so please click here to read about these reform bills and let us know what you think. http://budget.house.gov/BudgetProcessReform/

EU Bank Bailouts: Hidden in the “Cash for Clunkers” bill was a loan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for $100 billion, which would go towards bailing out the European Union and their banks (http://hotair.com/archives/2012/01/17/will-the-eu-tap-american-taxpayers-for-a-100-billion-bailout/) After the outrage Americans felt at bailing out our banks, and the false outrage expressed by the Obama administration, this is a totally unacceptable action on the part of our government. The GOP in the House has introduced a bill that would prevent US tax dollars from going to the IMF for any bailouts. The bill is HR 2313, sponsored by Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) with 89 cosponsors. It has been referred to the Financial Services and Appropriations Committee. The next step would need to be the Chairman calling it up for a hearing or markup. Here is an older article about the bill (http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=44474). Should we put pressure on the House to pass this bill?

Regulations, Economic Growth, & Jobs


• Taxes & Regulations Report: The Mercatus Center continues to offer excellent policy ideas and analysis. Read about their recommendations for how to restore economic growth through tax reform and regulatory reform. Check out their Regulatory Report Card which includes links to a regulatory primer, lists of regulations that are in open-comment periods, ways to track regulations, and so much more. Read an op-ed that was published by The Hill discussing lawmakers’ plans always fall short of addressing real, long-term fiscal reform. What do you think of their ideas? Are they helpful?
• Fast Facts: Look at this chart about “America Then and Now” to see how far things have fallen in just three short years.
• Keystone Pipeline: President Obama rejected the Keystone Pipeline permit in an attempt to soothe his eco-radical base. Some labor unions, manufacturers, the unemployed, energy security experts, and many more were hoping that the President would approve the pipeline as it would create over one hundred thousand good paying jobs; it would allow us to become more energy independent, and it would provide ethical oil from Canada rather than oil drilled from hostile and tyrannical regimes from around the world. In other news, it turns out that Obama supporter Warren Buffett stands to make a huge profit off of Obama’s decision to reject the pipeline. It turns out that Buffett partially owns some of the railways that are used to currently transport oil, and would be abandoned if the pipeline were built. So rather than create jobs and energy security, Obama has once again chosen to reward his extremist environmentalist base and his very well connected friends. Even his fellow Democrats were upset by his politically convenient choice to reject the Keystone Pipeline permit. Crony capitalism strikes again!
• Manufacturers Stand Up to Obama: Manufacturers have also put out press releases opposing President Obama’s call for tax increases, as well as asserting that overregulation harms job creation and is stifling economic growth.
• EPA Regulations: Due to EPA regulations, six coal-fired power plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland by September 1, 2012. Remember, this was not accomplished through legislation, but rather through unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats. What will happen to the jobs? How will we replace the energy these plants produced?

Constitutional Issues


• So-called Recess Appointments: RSC members are introducing two pieces of legislation. One is a resolution and the other is a bill. When we have more information, we will pass it on. There is also supposedly a coalition led by the Heritage Foundation, working to fight these appointments. We have asked to be plugged in to this, and are awaiting information.
• Rep. Jeff Landry (LA): Executive Appointment Reform Act
• Rep. Diane Black (TN): Resolution Opposing President Obama’s Illegal Appointments
• Executive Orders: Rep. Jenkins of Kansas will soon be introducing a concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that any Executive Order that would require federal spending has no binding effect until it is enacted into law through the legislative process. This resolution would therefore clarify congressional authority, as detailed in the Constitution. When we have more information, we’ll pass it along.
• NDAA: There is currently an effort underway to amend the NDAA law that passed recently to ensure that the language is clear about upholding American citizens’ right to due process. When we have more information we will pass it on.

Education


• State Reforms: Jindal Announces Most Ambitious Education Reform Package In U.S. History (http://thehayride.com/2012/01/jindal-announces-most-ambitious-education-reform-package-in-u-s-history/. In a bold move for sweeping education reform, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced one of the most ambitious reform packages in US history. In it, Jindal outlined the 3 pillars of education reform:


 Putting a highly effective teacher in every classroom
 Giving parents and students an equal opportunity in education and
 Giving school leaders more flexibility to spend their dollars on policies that improve student achievement


According to Jindal, “our children do not have time to wait. They only grow up once and they have one shot to receive a quality education. We can’t wait for another generation of students to graduate from high school unprepared for the workforce and higher education – or to dropout before they even get there.”


 Contact: To find out how you can help bring true reform to education, contact Bruce Gardner (bruce@teaforeducation.com) or Beverly Elliott (beverly@teaforeducation.com) or visit our website at http://www.teaforeducation.com to find a state or regional coordinator near you. America’s children need your help. Will you answer the call?

Agenda 21, Sustainability, & Property Rights


 RNC Winter Meeting: All the resolutions passed at the RNC Winter Meeting are on the RNC Website under the link to counsel's office. Our information is that the Resolution Exposing UN Agenda 21 will be proposed as a national GOP platform plank. This is very big news. Read more here. http://www.republicanassemblies.org/rnc-adopts-resolution-exposing-agenda-21/
 Anti-Delphi Training: Resist being marginalized! Have your voice heard! Session 2 of 6: This Saturday, January 28, 2-3 Eastern. Email Shelly Kennedy at shellykennedy@yahoo.com for call-in information.
 Saturday, Feb. 4: Fred Kelly Grant from Idaho teaches the Coordination Strategy - via all-day webinar at a cost of only $55! REGISTER HERE by 1/27. Includes all-day seminar and hard copy workbook. http://www.trademarkamerica.org/webinar_120204_info.htm
 National Federation of Republican Affiliates Resolutions:
 Opposing UN comprehensive land use planning--http://www.republicanassemblies.org/nfra-resolution-opposing-united-nations-comprehensive-land-use-planning/?navcat=4
 Protecting American sovereignty and individuals’ 2nd Amendment rights
 Calling for the immediate and complete withdrawal from the UN
 New Hampshire: NH House Bill 1834 - banning membership in ICLEI statewide.
 Name Change Alert: Now that we are all familiar with Agenda 21 and we decided we would expose it far and wide, they decided to rename it, as per usual. Now, they call it Millennium Development Goals. Watch for it in your communities.
 Candidates on Agenda 21: An older, out-of-date blog post with video of the Presidential candidates and their positions on Agenda 21 and “sustainability.”


Illegal Immigration


 National Call: There is a weekly national call hosted by the Tea Party Immigration Coalition. If you would like to sign up to receive general information or an invitation to participate on the calls, please email immigrationteaparty@gmail.com.
 Documentary: TPP North Carolina State Coordinator Mark Hager assisted with the documentary titled, “Invasion: Freedom Under Fire!” about the struggles of American citizens who live along the southern border. If you would like to order a copy, please click here for more information.

House of Representatives – The week ahead


The House is not in session on Monday, January 30th.

 The bill to repeal the CLASS Act (HR 1173) will be on the floor next week, probably Wednesday, February 1st.
 Two of the budget process reform bills will also come to the floor next week, probably on Thursday, February 2nd – the Baseline Reform Act (HR 3578) and the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act (HR 3582).
 Check out the RSC’s two-pager that provides a brief history of deficits and surpluses in the United States.
 As part of the open government initiative led the GOP and in accordance with House rules, the Clerk of the House of Representatives has launched a new website (docs.House.gov) where legislative data “will be posted in an XML format,” reports CQ.
 Next Recess: February 20th – February 24th.

Senate – The week ahead

 The Senate will reconvene on Monday, January 30th.
 Reid filed for cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2038, the Stock Act on Thursday night, January 26th. The Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2038, followed by a vote on cloture on the motion at 5:30 p.m on Monday. Members expect cloture will be invoked. McConnell is pushing for an open amendment process on this bill, and the expectation is that the bill will be on the floor most of next week.
 Legislative items that are possible during this work period include: FAA Conference report, Highway extension, and the Payroll conference report (if completed before the recess).
 Next Recess: February 20th – February 24t.