Bills

Congressional Research Services Summary:\
Shown Here:
Passed House (02/08/2022)

Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act

This bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations for federal agencies and extends several expiring authorities.

Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of March 11, 2022, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act.

It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2022 appropriations bills have not been enacted when the existing CR expires on February 18, 2022.

The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2021 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility or additional appropriations for various programs. For example, the CR includes provisions that address

• the President’s authority to draw down defense articles and services to respond to unforeseen emergencies,
• procurement of the Columbia-class submarine,
• the Department of Defense’s response to the contamination of drinking water near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, and
• the Department of the Interior’s implementation of enterprise cybersecurity safeguards.

The bill also extends several expiring authorities, including

• the authority for the Department of Health and Human Services to make certain appointments for the National Disaster Medical System,
• the special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 on nonindigent people or entities convicted of certain criminal offenses (e.g., sexual abuse and trafficking),
• the temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, and
• the current Medicaid federal matching rate (also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or FMAP) for certain territories.

Freedom Society Analysis:  Fiscal year 2021 ended on September 30th.  Fiscal year 2021 appropriations included massive unconstitutional programs and spending.  No representative, respecting his oath to obey the Constitution, should vote to extend such spending, unless a serious plan to begin rolling back such spending was imminent (which it was not). This is the third such transgression, extending FY 2021 level of spending until March 11, 2022 (unless appropriation enacted earlier, which they will not be).

We would like to post some comments here from the recorded debate, but there don’t appear to be any that are germane.  All time was taken in discussing failed amendments dealing with extraneous subjects such as vaccine mandates.  Apparently, CRs are business as usual and not worthy of comment, even though 27 senators voted Nay.

Congressional Research Services Summary:
Shown Here:
Passed House (02/08/2022)

Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act

This bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations for federal agencies and extends several expiring authorities.

Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of March 11, 2022, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act.

It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2022 appropriations bills have not been enacted when the existing CR expires on February 18, 2022.

The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2021 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility or additional appropriations for various programs. For example, the CR includes provisions that address

• the President’s authority to draw down defense articles and services to respond to unforeseen emergencies,
• procurement of the Columbia-class submarine,
• the Department of Defense’s response to the contamination of drinking water near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, and
• the Department of the Interior’s implementation of enterprise cybersecurity safeguards.

The bill also extends several expiring authorities, including

• the authority for the Department of Health and Human Services to make certain appointments for the National Disaster Medical System,
• the special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 on nonindigent people or entities convicted of certain criminal offenses (e.g., sexual abuse and trafficking),
• the temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, and
• the current Medicaid federal matching rate (also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or FMAP) for certain territories.

Freedom Society Analysis:  No one should seek to shut down the government, but responsible reps should insist on accompanying plans to return to constitutionally authorized government to get their vote.  Instead, no mention of the Constitution is made during the debate — just business as usual. If enough reps would refuse such business as usual there would be enough to begin the rollback that might justify a future CR. But major changes in Congress and pressure from an informed, determined electorate would be necessary for that to happen.

A few excerpts from the “debate” recorded in the Congressional Record are instructive:

From the Congressional Record (2-8-22):

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3). Sponsor and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act, which continues funding for Federal programs and services through March 11. I would have preferred to come before the House to pass a fiscal 2022 omnibus, but I believe we are very close to an agreement and I am eager to move this process forward.

“I have every expectation that we can finalize a framework in short order and then work together to fill in the details and enact an omnibus….

“An omnibus bill will confront the climate crisis by supporting environmental protection, land conservation, and clean energy development. It will protect our national security and restore America’s place in the world….

“Of great importance to the people we represent, an omnibus would enact Community Project Funding that both Republicans and Democrats requested for their districts, with strong community support….

“Once we have a framework, I am confident that appropriators will work with great intensity to fill in the details so that we can enact an agreement that is worthy of the American people.

“To provide the time to get that done, the Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act continues government funding at current levels through March 11.” [FFS:  Here, DeLauro provides an excellent example of articulating the collectivist propaganda that government drives all progress, which is used to advance federal spending.]

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12 ), Speaker of the House:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the CR that will keep government open, meet the needs of the American people, and honor the values of our Nation.  “This short-term measure will ensure that we have the time we need to finalize negotiations on a strong, bipartisan omnibus to fund the government through the end of the year.”  [FFS: It’s too bad that Congress can’t pass 12 individual appropriations bills (regular order) on time, because of the need to negotiate mammoth government spending, with our national debt now over $30 trillion.]

Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12),  Ranking (GOP) Member of the House Appropriations Committee:
“No one wants to have a CR, but the alternative is much worse. If we don’t pass a CR by next week, we could have an unnecessary and costly government shutdown. I think both sides agree that would be disastrous, especially for our national security.  “This bill keeps the government open for another 3 weeks and ensures the continuation of basic Federal responsibilities, such as national defense, border security, and care for our veterans.” [FFS: There is no leadership here from the GOP side recognizing that a turnaround is necessary to prevent an  emerging totalitarian government and American slavery.]

Congressional Research Services Summary:
Shown Here:
Passed House (02/08/2022)

Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act

This bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations for federal agencies and extends several expiring authorities.

Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of March 11, 2022, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act.

It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2022 appropriations bills have not been enacted when the existing CR expires on February 18, 2022.

The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2021 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility or additional appropriations for various programs. For example, the CR includes provisions that address

• the President’s authority to draw down defense articles and services to respond to unforeseen emergencies,
• procurement of the Columbia-class submarine,
• the Department of Defense’s response to the contamination of drinking water near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, and
• the Department of the Interior’s implementation of enterprise cybersecurity safeguards.

The bill also extends several expiring authorities, including

• the authority for the Department of Health and Human Services to make certain appointments for the National Disaster Medical System,
• the special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 on nonindigent people or entities convicted of certain criminal offenses (e.g., sexual abuse and trafficking),
• the temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, and
• the current Medicaid federal matching rate (also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or FMAP) for certain territories.

Freedom First Society Analysis:  No one should seek to shut down the government, but responsible reps should insist on accompanying plans to return to constitutionally authorized government to get their vote.  Instead, no mention of the Constitution is made during the debate — just business as usual. If enough reps would refuse such business as usual there would be enough to begin the rollback that might justify a future CR. But major changes in Congress and pressure from an informed, determined electorate would be necessary for that to happen.

A few excerpts from the “debate” recorded in the Congressional Record are instructive:

From the Congressional Record (2-8-22):

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3). Sponsor and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act, which continues funding for Federal programs and services through March 11. I would have preferred to come before the House to pass a fiscal 2022 omnibus, but I believe we are very close to an agreement and I am eager to move this process forward.

“I have every expectation that we can finalize a framework in short order and then work together to fill in the details and enact an omnibus….

“An omnibus bill will confront the climate crisis by supporting environmental protection, land conservation, and clean energy development. It will protect our national security and restore America’s place in the world….

“Of great importance to the people we represent, an omnibus would enact Community Project Funding that both Republicans and Democrats requested for their districts, with strong community support….

“Once we have a framework, I am confident that appropriators will work with great intensity to fill in the details so that we can enact an agreement that is worthy of the American people.

“To provide the time to get that done, the Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act continues government funding at current levels through March 11.” [FFS:  Here, DeLauro provides an excellent example of articulating the collectivist propaganda that government drives all progress, which is used to advance federal spending.]

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12 ), Speaker of the House:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the CR that will keep government open, meet the needs of the American people, and honor the values of our Nation.  “This short-term measure will ensure that we have the time we need to finalize negotiations on a strong, bipartisan omnibus to fund the government through the end of the year.”  [FFS: It’s too bad that Congress can’t pass 12 individual appropriations bills (regular order) on time, because of the need to negotiate mammoth government spending, with our national debt now over $30 trillion.]

Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12),  Ranking (GOP) Member of the House Appropriations Committee:
“No one wants to have a CR, but the alternative is much worse. If we don’t pass a CR by next week, we could have an unnecessary and costly government shutdown. I think both sides agree that would be disastrous, especially for our national security.  “This bill keeps the government open for another 3 weeks and ensures the continuation of basic Federal responsibilities, such as national defense, border security, and care for our veterans.” [FFS: There is no leadership here from the GOP side recognizing that a turnaround is necessary to prevent an  emerging totalitarian government and American slavery.]

Bill Summary (Congressional Research Service):
Shown Here:
Public Law No: 117-73 (12/16/2021)
This joint resolution increases the public debt limit by $2.5 trillion.

Freedom First Society Analysis:  The Senate vote on S.J. 33 followed a one-time change in the Senate procedure for voting to raise the debt limit to allow the Democrats to raise the debt ceiling (Senate vote 491). The Democrats voted here to raise the debt limit as expected. 

We’re constantly told that it’s unthinkable for the government not to pay its debts on time.  But apparently it’s not unthinkable to spend beyond our means and incur ever-increasing debt we cannot afford.

It’s important to recognize the orchestrated media betrayal — the option of serious federal rollbacks is not allowed in the “public discussion.”   The public rarely hears from “experts” warning us that we must curb unconstitutional spending to avoid bankrupting the nation.  Or explaining that eliminating such spending would lead to unprecedented national prosperity and even improved opportunity for the recipients of “unconstitutional” government welfare? The real problem — unconstitutional government is not mentioned.  If the federal government were limited by the Constitution, in normal times there would be no serious problem with deficits (and at current tax levels, there would be surpluses to begin retiring the national debt).

Bill Summary (Congressional Research Service):
Shown Here:
Public Law No: 117-73 (12/16/2021)
This joint resolution increases the public debt limit by $2.5 trillion.

Freedom First Society Analysis: We’re constantly told that it’s unthinkable for the government not to pay its debts on time.  But apparently it’s not unthinkable to spend beyond our means and incur ever-increasing debt we cannot afford.

It’s important to recognize the orchestrated media betrayal — the option of serious federal rollbacks is not allowed in the “public discussion.”   The public rarely hears from “experts” warning us that we must curb unconstitutional spending to avoid bankrupting the nation.  Or explaining that eliminating such spending would lead to unprecedented national prosperity and even improved opportunity for the recipients of “unconstitutional” government welfare? The real problem — unconstitutional government is not mentioned.  If the federal government were limited by the Constitution, in normal times there would be no serious problem with deficits (and at current tax levels, there would be surpluses to begin retiring the national debt.

We will next comment on some excerpts from the debate posted in the Congressional record. We will show that Congress is incapable of addressing out-of-control spending without informed pressure from constituents who also work to retire those who do not obey the Constitution.

Most reps. are currently unwilling to roll back unconstitutional spending. Ever greater government spending serves the agenda of the Conspiracy.  Keep in mind that the Conspiracy dominates BOTH political parties, not just the Democrat wolves.  Many Republican “wolves in sheep’s clothing” vote conservative when it doesn’t affect the outcome just in order to be able to tout an “ostensible” conservative record before unaware constituents.

From the Congressional Record (12-14-21) [Emphasis added]:

Rep. Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-Virginia), Chair of the Joint Economic Committee:
“Madam Speaker, I am pleased that today the House will take action to protect our Nation’s full faith and credit. S.J. Res. 33 will ensure that the United States continues to be a nation that pays its bills, period.

“Without today’s action, for the first time in our history, the United States Government could default on its debt obligations because of the debt limit, and this would be ruinous for U.S. workers and their families.

“It would trigger a financial crisis on par with that of 2008, resulting in catastrophic economic damage with millions of jobs lost, businesses shuttered, and a banking system in chaos….

“I want to be very clear. Raising the debt ceiling is not about incurring new debts. We are simply ensuring the Federal Government keeps its existing commitments, that it pays the bills we have already racked up.

“By raising the debt limit, we are meeting our existing obligations to members of the military, veterans, and recipients of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security….

“Congress has addressed the debt limit 79 times since 1960 to prevent default; 30 times with a Democrat in the White House, 49 times under a Republican President. In fact, under President Trump, Congress took action to address the debt limit three times and did so without drama. Today’s action should be no different.”

Freedom First Society:  Why is there a debt limit? It should serve as a reminder that government debt needs to be controlled. It is just not an obstacle to be overcome regularly on the road to ever greater spending that can’t otherwise be funded.  To be sure, government should pay its debts, but it must also take action to keep debt under control.  No such action is contemplated, therefore the responsible action is to vote “no” and force plans to rollback unconstitutional spending and retire debt.

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), Committee on Rules:
“In 2018, Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, Whip Clyburn, and 116 other House Democrats voted to default on the debt, shut down the government, and refuse disaster relief to devastated communities across America like mine….

“Make no mistake, Democrats have known this day has been coming for 2 years and did absolutely nothing. They passed no budget, passed no appropriations bills, and they didn’t spend a moment in bipartisan outreach to address the debt ceiling….

“Make no mistake, the debt ceiling is not merely about paying for past spending, it is about making room for new wasteful spending, trillions that will pour more fuel on the inflation fire that marks Joe Biden’s Presidency, the highest rate in decades, that has robbed families of their real wage gains from the past 3 years.”

Freedom First Society:  Rep. Brady makes some good points here.  But he also perpetuates the deception that this is wholly a Democrat problem. It’s not! He also doesn’t mention that a return to the Constitution must be the standard. Nor can his remarks, buried in the Congressional Record, have any impact on the voting public from which change must come.  His remarks certainly won’t impact the Democrat reps. The function of these so-called debates is not to develop more reasoned policy; they are designed only to be cited to impress constituents.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), House Financial Services Committee:
“Madam Speaker, it is not compassionate to bankrupt America. That is exactly what this plan does. It equips this country with more debt to pay for the past debt with no plan to pay for the future debt. The only thing is more debt. It is a debt bomb, and it is something that this body has an obligation to stop.

“This country is on auto pilot for a crash site, and the only plan is to keep riding on auto pilot right into the crash site. The whole point of the debt ceiling is to force this body to do its duty and to come up with a plan to not default.

“The only question isn’t whether we default tomorrow, which we shouldn’t, of course we should pay our debts, but we shouldn’t default in the future either. And unless we come up with a different course of action, this is going to ride all the way to the crash site.

“I will oppose this, and I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same, and we should continue to oppose it until there is a plan to avert the crisis in the crash that is coming. Don’t bankrupt America.”

Freedom First Society: As far as Rep. Davidson went, he is right on.  But there is more to the story that must be told and it must be told to voters. Rep. Davidson doesn’t tell us why we have this problem. The answer is a Conspiracy that has control of both parties and seeks to bankrupt Americans and build a federal monster en route to total dictatorial control.

Rep. Kevin Brady again:
“And another gentle reminder to the American public, our Democratic friends have known this day has been coming for 2 years. This is a crisis that they created. Didn’t bother to pass a budget, didn’t do their appropriations bill, no bipartisan outreach. Waited again and again for this cliff and created this crisis. It has been frustrating to watch this go on.”

Freedom First Society: Rep. Brady deceives us by painting the climbing debt ceiling as purely a Democrat problem.  This has been going on for decades.  We can recall a campaign long ago by patriots with a bumper sticker: “No Trillion Dollar National Debt.” Just the proposed increase is the debt ceiling is now 2.5 times that! Clearly, Congress, including Republicans will not stop our road to disaster without much more informed grassroots pressure from back home.

Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), Budget Committee:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose this $2.5 trillion debt limit increase which this Congress is voting on without any discussion of how this debt will ever be repaid.

“Over the past year, Congress’ record levels of spending has sparked record-breaking inflation. Just last week, our nation hit its highest inflation rate in 40 years with current annual inflation for the twelve months ending in November at 6.8%. As a consequence, real average hourly earnings decreased by half a percent in November. Surging costs for food, energy, housing, and other items have left the average American family reeling. In my California district, the average price of a tank of gasoline has increased over $20 since January, while the price of natural gas is up more than 25 percent.

“Congress is not only spending at a level that is well beyond our self-imposed limits, but also beyond what our economy can safely handle, and Madam Speaker, instead of reducing our spending and finding places to save as any American family would, this institution is working to push through another multi-trillion-dollar social spending package that would drive our debt and our inflation further into crisis.”

Freedom First Society: Rep. Obernolte cites small stuff. Much more importantly, we need Congress to respect the Constitution. Phasing out unauthorized unconstitutional spending could reduce the size of government by more that 80% and unleash incredible prosperity.

Rep. Obernolte continues:
“Madam Speaker, this unconscionable spending is the epitome of irresponsible governance. We must take measures to end this reckless spending and put our financial house in order. To that end I have introduced two bills that the House might better spend its time considering in the coming weeks instead of continuing debate on the reckless social spending bill.”

Freedom First Society: Congress can’t debate itself to responsibility. The American people need to be informed and elect a better Congress and hold their congressmen’s feet to the fire: Vote the Constitution or count on election opposition.

As one of his bills, Rep. Obernolte proposes a nice-sounding, but distracting Balanced Budget Amendment. Congress is ignoring the Constitution. An Amendment won’t change that, particularly one that include “off-ramps … in times of crisis.” Significantly, Rep. Obernolte distracts from the source of the problem – a Congress, under pressure from the Conspiracy, that supports unconstitutional government and spending.  He should look at his own poor record of voting according to the Constitution.

Congressional Research Service Summary:

Shown Here:
Passed House (12/07/2021)

Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act
This bill makes several budgetary, technical, and procedural changes, particularly in relation to Medicare and increasing the debt limit.

Specifically, the bill continues to exempt Medicare from sequestration until March 31, 2022. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)

The bill also establishes expedited Senate procedures for considering legislation to increase the debt limit. The procedures limit debate, waive points of order, and prohibit amendments. The procedures may only be used once and expire after January 16, 2022.

Additionally, the bill (1) temporarily extends other provisions under Medicare, including a payment increase under the physician fee schedule; and (2) requires any debits recorded for FY2022 on the statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) scorecards to be deducted from the scorecards for 2022 and added to the scorecards for 2023.

FFS Analysis:  Here is how Roll Call (12-10-21) “Senate clears expedited debt limit process, Medicare cuts delay” reported on the congressional action:

“Final passage came after a critical procedural vote, in which 14 Republicans joined all Democrats on a cloture motion to limit debate. That bipartisan cooperation — on a deal brokered by Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — cleared the way for Democrats to be able to increase the debt limit on their own and avoid a fiscal crisis.”

“On their own”— bah! By clearing the way, those Republicans have responsibility. The report continued:

“‘The proposal I worked on with Leader McConnell will allow Democrats to do precisely what we’ve been seeking to do for months… provide a simple majority vote to fix the debt ceiling without having to resort to a convoluted, lengthy and ultimately risky process,’ Schumer said.”

“Fix the debt ceiling”?  So Congress can find it politically easier to spend our money without that “temporary” restraint?

Americans need a Congress that is accountable to the people and the Constitution. Rather than raising the debt ceiling so we can add more debt, how about rolling back unconstitutional spending and programs so government can limit, even pay down, the debt?

Congressional Research Service Summary:

Shown Here:
Passed House (12/07/2021)

Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act
This bill makes several budgetary, technical, and procedural changes, particularly in relation to Medicare and increasing the debt limit.

Specifically, the bill continues to exempt Medicare from sequestration until March 31, 2022. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)

The bill also establishes expedited Senate procedures for considering legislation to increase the debt limit. The procedures limit debate, waive points of order, and prohibit amendments. The procedures may only be used once and expire after January 16, 2022.

Additionally, the bill (1) temporarily extends other provisions under Medicare, including a payment increase under the physician fee schedule; and (2) requires any debits recorded for FY2022 on the statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) scorecards to be deducted from the scorecards for 2022 and added to the scorecards for 2023.

FFS Analysis:  Here is how Roll Call (12-10-21) “Senate clears expedited debt limit process, Medicare cuts delay” reported on the congressional action:

“Final passage came after a critical procedural vote, in which 14 Republicans joined all Democrats on a cloture motion to limit debate. That bipartisan cooperation — on a deal brokered by Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — cleared the way for Democrats to be able to increase the debt limit on their own and avoid a fiscal crisis.”

“On their own”— bah! By clearing the way, those Republicans have responsibility. The report continued:

“‘The proposal I worked on with Leader McConnell will allow Democrats to do precisely what we’ve been seeking to do for months… provide a simple majority vote to fix the debt ceiling without having to resort to a convoluted, lengthy and ultimately risky process,’ Schumer said.”

“Fix the debt ceiling”?  So Congress can find it politically easier to spend our money without that “temporary” restraint?

Americans need a Congress that is accountable to the people and the Constitution. Rather than raising the debt ceiling so we can add more debt, how about rolling back unconstitutional spending and programs so government can limit, even pay down, the debt?

Bill Summary:  Extends FY 2021 spending levels until February 18, 2022 unless updated sooner plus other matters.

Analysis:  Fiscal year 2021 ended on September 30th.  Fiscal year 2021 appropriations included massive unconstitutional programs and spending.  No representative, respecting his oath to obey the Constitution, should vote to extend such spending, unless a serious plan to begin rolling back such spending was imminent (which it was not). This is the second such transgression, extending FY 2021 level of spending until February 18, 2022 (the first extended spending until December 3, 2021).

During the pseudo debate on the measure, the sponsor, Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.), lamented the need for a short term continuing appropriations rather that yearlong omnibus planning.  Her remarks reflected the government collectivism propagandizing the public — government not individual  action is the primary solution to society’s progress:

“Let me be clear, working families, small businesses, veterans, and our military need the certainty that comes with passing omnibus funding legislation instead of short-term funding patches. Republicans must join us for bipartisan, bicameral negotiations to resolve our differences and keep government working for us all.

“For our communities, we need an omnibus to create and sustain good-paying jobs, support small businesses, prevent future pandemics, and advance lifesaving medical research. We need an omnibus to strengthen public schools, protect our air and water, combat the opioid epidemic, and support core services such as food safety and consumer product inspections. Without an omnibus, investments in all these areas will be denied.

“For our veterans, we need an omnibus to provide sufficient funding for veterans’ benefits, reduce backlogs for veterans and their families, and meet the needs of the VA’s healthcare system. Without an omnibus there will be a shortfall that will cause veterans not to receive their benefits in full.

“For our national security, we need an omnibus to support defense readiness and modernization, secure our cyber infrastructure, and strengthen American leadership abroad. Without an omnibus, a pay raise for troops will not be funded while funds will be misdirected to a war we are no longer fighting.”

Echoing the same false leadership was Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.):

“Madam Speaker, these investments, along with other important investments in housing, jobs, and community investment, are on hold until we complete our work for fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills. So we must not shrink from our global responsibility but instead work to pass our budget, an omnibus bill, as soon as possible. Lives and livelihoods depend on this.

“Madam Speaker, again I thank Chairwoman DeLauro for making sure we keep the government open.” (Emphasis added.)

On the other hand, Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) argued that Congress was set on funding out-of-control government that threatened the American people with tyranny:

“There is a lot of noise in this town right now about government shutdowns, and the fact is, the issue isn’t about shutdowns. It is about whether or not Members of this body will continue to use money we don’t have to fund mandates, indoctrination, and the use of force against our citizens: $73.5 billion for the Department of Education that subsidizes the indoctrination of our children with critical race theory and woke gender ideologies;  $10 billion for an FBI that was just used by the Attorney General of the United States to target parents;

$50 billion for a Department of Homeland Security that leaves our borders wide open, empowering cartels because Secretary Mayorkas fails to execute the laws of the United States;
$6 billion for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases run by Dr. Fauci.

“Need I say more?

$592 million for OSHA, which has imposed an unconstitutional vaccine mandate on 84 million Americans.

“I offered an amendment to strip any funding from this bill that would fund Federal vaccine mandates, and it wasn’t even able to see the light of day.

“This is about a Congress that is supposed to use the power of the purse, our Article I authority, rather than hiding behind the judges in Article III, to check the executive branch. We have a moral obligation to give voice and representation to the people who elected us whose liberty and livelihoods are being attacked.

“My friend who battles MS is looking at being terminated from the university she teaches at because of the unlawful Federal contractor mandate.

“The medical hero in Texas who is 9 months pregnant is facing termination under the unlawful CMS mandate.

“Military personnel, including the 13-year Army veteran in my district who is concerned about myocarditis, are facing being discharged from service to our country.

“These are our neighbors, our relatives, our friends–maybe not for some of you who go home to double-masked, vaccine passport cities. But these are real Americans that this government wants to go after.

“I urge my colleagues to stop empowering executive branch tyranny over Americans, and I urge my Republican colleagues to not just vote “no” and give a speech, but go stand with Mike Lee. Go stand with others in the Senate trying to defend these Americans. We should not fund tyranny over American citizens.

Also on the mark were comments by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia):

“Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the CR. The American people are $29 trillion in debt, thanks to Congress. And this Congress wants to borrow more money and more time to figure out how to run the government and how to pay for it. That is an outrage to the American people.

“You want to talk about courage and responsibility? Do you know what courage and responsibility is?

“It is learning how to manage the people’s money. The people work hard every single day. They have to pay the taxes. And then they have to trust this House, this body, and the Senate to create a budget, but every single time, it is the budget that puts them further and further in debt.

“It is the audacity of Congress to borrow more money and not be able to come up with a budget that makes sense and that we can pay for.

“What an outrage. What an irresponsibility. That isn’t courage. That is not responsibility. That is out-of-control behavior that this Congress needs to rein in. This government should be shut down. You want to know why it should be shut down? Because the people in here cannot control themselves. The people in here do not understand how to balance a checkbook. And the people in here do not deserve the responsibility on how to spend the American people’s money.

“Madam Speaker, $29 trillion. Shut it down. Do not pass the CR. Shut it down.”

Bill Summary:  Extends FY 2021 spending levels until February 18, 2022 unless updated sooner plus other matters.

Analysis:  We score the Senate GOP, but not the House GOP.  In the House, the GOP could virtually all comfortably vote Nay, posturing as fiscal conservatives, and the measure still pass (only 1 GOP representative voted yea).  Not so in Senate with a 3/5 majority  required on this vote. 18 GOP wolves in sheep’s clothing had to reveal their true selves.

Bill Summary:  Extends FY 2021 spending levels until February 18, 2022 unless updated sooner plus other matters.

Analysis:  We score the Senate GOP, but not the House GOP.  In the House, the GOP could virtually all comfortably vote Nay, posturing as fiscal conservatives, and the measure still pass (only 1 GOP representative voted yea).  Not so in Senate with a 3/5 majority  required on this vote. 18 GOP wolves in sheep’s clothing had to reveal their true selves.