Issue: H.R. 2112 Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.

Result: Passed in House 217 to 203, 12 not voting. Following Senate amendments, approved again as part of the “Minibus” (see Roll Call 857, 11-17-11). Became Public Law 112-55 (signed by the President 11-18-11).  Republicans scored.

Bill Summary:  Makes appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for fiscal year 2012 (ending September 30, 2012).

Analysis:  The House voted separately on only half of the 12 regular annual appropriations bills for FY2012. And none of those passed the Senate. So discretionary funding was by continuing resolution until all of the regular appropriations were subsumed in two massive bills — a “Minibus” (see House Roll Call 857, 11-17-11)) and a “Megabus” (see House Roll Call 941, 12-16-11, H.R. 2055)

For the House to phase out and eliminate unconstitutional programs and spending it would need to send smaller bills to the Senate and then hang tough.   However, the political will for such a course doesn’t yet exist. This particular appropriations bill still contains massive spending for unconstitutional programs, despite virtually unanimous Democratic opposition (right vote, wrong reason).

We have assigned (good vote) to the Nays and (bad vote) to the Yeas. (P = voted present; ? = not voting; blank = not listed on roll call.)