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Articles Tagged budget

  1. Issue Spotlight: Key Amendments Passed in the Senate's Budget

    by rachna on March 25, 2013

    In this Issue Spotlight, we want to share details on some of the key amendments that passed with the Senate's budget proposal -- and related bills. Our logic is this: even if these amendments don't survive a House-Senate conference, these are issue areas that potentially could pass a Senate vote as stand-along bills. 

    Key Amendments Passed in the Senate's Budget

    From our Hill Sources: The Senate passed its first budget in four years, along with several amendments that were approved Thursday, Friday and very early Saturday morning.

    The amendments are non-binding, because they are attached to the Senate's non-binding budget resolution. They would take on more importance if they could survive a House-Senate conference, but it's unclear whether the House and Senate will be able to reach a broad agreement on the budget given the huge difference between the two chambers' budgets.

    Still, the Senate amendments do provide an indication of the willingness to pass bills on certain policy issues. Many of the amendments that passed are especially interesting because they reflect Republican priorities that gathered enough support among Democrats to pass in the Democratic Senate.

    UN Arms Trade Treaty

    By a 53-46 vote, the Senate approved a proposal from Sen. James Inhofe to prevent the U.S. from joining the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty. Republicans in particular say joining the treaty, aimed at regulating arms trade, could infringe on the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.

    • HR 575 The Second Amendment Protection Act: The US should not adopt any treaty that poses a threat to national sovereignty or abridges any rights guaranteed by the US Constitution, such as the right to keep and bear arms, and to withhold funding from the United Nations unless the President certifies that the United Nations has not taken action to restrict, attempt to restrict, or otherwise adversely infringe upon the rights of individuals in the US to keep and bear arms, or abridge any of the other constitutionally protected rights of US citizens.
    • HCR 23 House Resolution: Expresses concerns about the US becoming a signatory to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, or to any similar agreement on the arms trade.
    • SCR 7 Senate Resolution: Expresses concerns about the US becoming a signatory to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, or to any similar agreement on the arms trade.

    Missile Defense

    The Senate approved an amendment from Sen. Kelly Ayotte to block funding of the Medium Extended Air Defense System. This project, which would replace the Patriot missile systems in the U.S. and Germany, has been plagued by cost overruns, and the Senate voted 94-5 to block its funding.

    "Too Big to Fail"

    An amendment from Sen. David Vitter to end public subsidies to "too big to fail" banks was passed 99-0.

    Estate Tax

    The Senate voted 80-19 in favor of language from Sen. Mark Warner to repeal the estate tax in a fiscally responsible way.

    Biennial Budgeting

    A proposal from Sen. Johnny Isakson to set up a congressional budgeting process that happens every two years, instead of every year, as approved 68-31.

    • HR 879 The Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act: to provide for a biennial budget process and a biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and the performance of the Federal Government.
    • S 554 A bill: to provide for a biennial budget process and a biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and the performance of the Federal Government.

    Online Sales Tax

    A bipartisan amendment to allow states to collect taxes on sales made online was passed 75-24. Many members of both parties have called for this change as online sales increasingly replace sales in physical stores, which has depleted state tax revenues.

    Keystone Pipeline

    The Senate voted 62-37 in favor of an amendment from Sen. John Hoeven to approve the Keystone oilseeds pipeline. More than a dozen Democratic senators voted in favor of the GOP proposal, and the Senate also voted 33-66 against language from Sen. Barbara Boxder to delay Keystone's approval.

    Medical Device Taxes

    The 2010 healthcare law imposed a 2.3 percent tax on gross revenues of medical device tax companies, which was to be used to pay for the health reform law. But in a 79-20 vote, the Senate agreed to bipartisan language to repeal the tax.

    Hospital Payments

    In a 68-31 vote, the Senate approved a plan from Sen. Tom Coburn to repeal language in the 2010 healthcare law that boosts Medicare payments to hospitals in Massachusetts at the expense of hospitals in most other states.

      No stand-alone bill.

    Medicare Status

    This proposal from Sen. Debbie Stabenow to prohibit the replacement of guaranteed Medicare benefits with a voucher program was approved 96-3.

      No stand-alone bill.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  2. Budget Proposals for FY 2014

    by rachna on March 20, 2013

    Six Budget proposals have been introduced in Congress for Fiscal Year 2014. The Budget resolutions drafted by the House and Senate Budget Chairs have passed committee and are now slated for consideration on their respective chamber floors. The Congressional Progressive Caucus Budget is usually offered as an amendment to the House Budget resolution, though the Rules Committee will have the final say on whether the amendment is accepted and a vote allowed. Weigh in on these budget proposals, and POPVOX will deliver your message to your Representative and Senators.

    FY 2014 Budget Proposals

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  3. Issue Spotlight: The Debt Ceiling

    by rachna on January 24, 2013

    Issue Spotlight: The Debt Ceiling

    Updated 1/24/13

    On Jan. 23, 2013, the House passed the No Budget, No Pay Act (HR 325) to extend the federal debt limit for three months -- on the condition that the Senate commits to passing a federal budget by the April 15 deadline. As House Majority Leader Eric Cantor explained:

    • Cantor"We must pay our bills and responsibly budget for our future. Next week, we will authorize a three month temporary debt limit increase to give the Senate and House time to pass a budget. Furthermore, if the Senate or House fails to pass a budget in that time, Members of Congress will not be paid by the American people for failing to do their job. No budget, no pay." (Read Majority Leader Cantor's full statement.)

    In anticipation of the debate in Congress about the debt ceiling and federal budget, POPVOX would like to spotlight related legislation. Weigh in and share your views. POPVOX will deliver your message to your Representative or Senators, guaranteed. (Learn more about how POPVOX works.)

    Federal Debt Ceiling Legislation

    • HR 355 : To increase the statutory limit on the public debt only upon the certification by the President of the submission to the States for their ratification of the proposed amendment to the Constitution to balance the Federal Budget or limit Federal spending. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 342 : To prioritize certain Government obligations for continued payment in the event that the statutory debt limit is reached, to appropriate funds for the pay and allowances of all members of the Armed Forces, and for those civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard serving in a combat zone. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 326 : To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a point of order to prohibit the extension of the public debt limit unless a concurrent resolution on the budget has been agreed to and is in effect. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 92 : A bill to require that the Government give priority to payment of all obligations on the debt held by the public and payment of Social Security benefits in the event that the debt limit is reached. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 81 : A bill to provide guidance and priorities for Federal Government obligations in the event that the debt limit is reached. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 57 : A bill to establish a timely and expeditious process for voting on the statutory debt limit. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 46 : A bill to protect Social Security benefits and military pay and require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public in the event that the debt limit is reached. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 325 The No Budget, No Pay Act: To ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the US Government until May 19, 2013.
    • HR 319 To provide for an expedited process for increasing the statutory limit on the public debt.
    • HR 55 SHIELD Act: To prioritize the payment of pay and allowances to members of the Armed Forces and Federal law enforcement officers in the event the debt ceiling is reached or there is a funding gap.
    • HR 233 To provide for an orderly process by which the debt ceiling is increased.
    • HR 149 Prioritize Spending Act: To specify the priority of the obligations of the US Government if the debt ceiling is reached.
    • HR 103 Ending Fiscal Cliffs Act: To provide authority to increase the debt limit when an Act of Congress provides budget authority or reduces revenues.
    • HR 247 Ensuring the Full Faith and Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors Act: To require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached.
    • HR 290 Full Faith and Credit Act: To eliminate the statutory cap on the public debt and to place limitations on the purposes for which public debt may be issued.
    • HJR 12 Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that any extension of the public debt limit only be considered in a standalone bill.

    Balanced Budget Amendment Proposals

    • HJRes 18 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget for the US Government and for greater accountability in the enactment of tax legislation. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 371 : To increase the statutory limit on the public debt by $1,000,000,000 upon the adoption by Congress of a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment and by an additional $1,000,000,000 upon ratification by the States of that Amendment. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HJR 1 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to (1) require that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts; (2) require that bills to raise revenues pass each House of Congress by a 3/5 majority; (3) establish an annual spending cap such that total federal spending could not exceed 1/5 of the economic output of the US; and (4) require a 3/5 majority vote for any increases in the debt limit.
    • HJR 2 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to require that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenues; require the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress, and require a 3/5 majority vote to increase the debt limit (except in times of national emergencies).
    • HJR 4 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to require the President to submit, and Congress to pass, an annual budget that is balanced.
    • HJR 5 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution relative to balancing the budget and requires Congress to pass a balanced budget and requires any new bill that imposes a new tax or increases the statutory rate of any tax or the aggregate amount of revenue pass by a two-thirds majority.
    • HJR 6 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and requires Congress to pass a balanced budget and requires any new bill that imposes a new tax or increases the statutory rate of any tax or the aggregate amount of revenue pass by a majority (except in times of national emergencies).
    • HJR 9 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the US government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress.
    • HJR 10 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the legislatures of the several States.
    • HJR 11 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
    • HJR 17 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution which requires (except during time of war and subject to suspension by Congress) that the total amount of money expended by the US during any fiscal year not exceed the amount of certain revenue received by the US during such fiscal year and not exceed 20 percent of the gross domestic product of the US during the previous calendar year.
    • HJR 18 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget for the US Government and for greater accountability in the enactment of tax legislation.

    Congressional Consequences

    • S 55 : A bill to prohibit Members of Congress and the President from receiving pay during Government shutdowns. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HCRes 9 Prohibiting the House or Senate from adjourning for a period of more than 5 days during a fiscal year unless the House involved has adopted a concurrent resolution on the budget for such fiscal year and has approved legislation to provide funding for the operations of the government for the entire fiscal year. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 143 Lead By Example Act: To provide that matching contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund for Members of Congress be made contingent on Congress completing action on a concurrent resolution on the budget, for the fiscal year involved, which reduces the deficit.
    • HR 108Member Pay Freeze Act: To provide that rates of pay for Members of Congress shall not be adjusted under section 601(a)(2) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 in the year following any fiscal year in which outlays of the United States exceed receipts of the United States.
    • HR 310 To provide that Members of Congress may not receive pay after October 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed the regular appropriations bills.

    Budget Reforms

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

(For media inquiries, please contact Marci Harris, POPVOX’s CEO, at info@popvox.com.)

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