March 22nd
This week in MORE POWER:
Budget Overview
Budget Breakdown
Data: Not for Sale
Tax Bill at a Standstill
Bear with me while I give you the bare minimum on the situation with the budget. I promise to keep it as short as possible and then I will give you a quick update on a couple of more spicy bills.
Budget Overview
The deadline to pass the remainder of the budget bills to avoid a partial government shutdown is at midnight and the House just passed a version to send to the Senate for a vote. Earlier this week, the Biden administration and House Republican leaders reached a deal on five of six remaining appropriations bills- all except the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill. Both sides are racing to finalize the bill before the shutdown deadline. Strong Senate agreement is necessary to expedite passage, which may face challenges from hard-right members. Once signed by President Biden, the spending bill will fund the entire federal government for the rest of the fiscal year. This resolution ends months of standoff.
Budget Breakdown
So what is tentatively in the funding package?
The $1.2 trillion legislative package addresses various government priorities while sparking debate over funding allocations and cuts. Key highlights include:
On the Border: $490 million to hire 22,000 Border Patrol agents, focusing on border security enhancements.
Defense: $824 billion in funding for defense, including more than $176 billion for military personnel, more than $287 billion for operation and maintenance, $172 billion for munitions and other procurement, and $148.3 billion for research, development, test and evaluation.
International Aid: There is a controversial restriction to agencies like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides aid, like food and medical supplies, to places facing humanitarian crises, like Gaza. It also restricts funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel. The bill includes money for global initiatives like $6 billion for the president’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as well as $1.65 billion for the Global Fund.
Increased Funding on Domestic Programs: There is $1 billion for TSA, including investments in pay equity and notable increases in funding for early childhood education programs, healthcare institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Cuts: Some areas facing funding cuts are election security grants and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There is controversy surrounding funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters and the IRS may not see an increase in funding.
Ok, you made it through.
Now, on to a couple of bills that might peak your interest.
Data: Not for Sale
Last week, the House passed a bill that would force the Chinese owner of TikTok to sell, or face a ban in the United States. Representatives cited privacy and national security concerns with the data collection and sharing practices of the company. This week, the House passed an additional bill, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, aimed at prohibiting data brokers from selling Americans’ personally identifiable information to foreign adversaries, bolstering data privacy and national security efforts. Led by bipartisan support and backed by House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the bill complements previous initiatives and empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce penalties for violations.
Tax Bill at a Standstill
A tax bill that passed the House with strong bipartisan support has stalled due to political gridlock in the Senate.The bill, designed to expand the child tax credit and reinstate business tax breaks, includes extensions of tax breaks related to business research, capital expenses, and interest, alongside provisions for low-income housing development and disaster relief. Republicans have raised concerns over its perceived favoritism toward low-income families.
Despite strong backing in the House, the $78 billion package faces hurdles typical of major legislation during an election year, since the party not in power will try to avoid giving the current administration a win to tout on the campaign trail. In the Senate, Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) is urging Republicans to filibuster it if Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) brings it to a vote. Thune's stance aligns with growing resistance among Republicans, particularly those supporting Senator Mike Crapo's (R-ID) reluctance to pass tax legislation this year. Senator John Cornyn's (R-TX) opposition further complicates matters, as he advocates for Crapo's leadership in negotiations, signaling potential difficulties in securing the necessary 60 votes for passage.
What Congress Passed This Week
Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act
Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act
FOCUS Act
Impact of Crime on Public Building Usage Act of 2023
Embassy Construction Integrity Act
To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 relating to the review of the interagency dispute resolution process.
Passport System Reform and Backlog Prevention Act
Protecting American Energy Production Act
Restoring American Energy Dominance Act
Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024
Nothing.
Nothing.
What POTUS Signed Into Law This Week
Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of life Act or the “END FENTANYL Act”
Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act
