Dianne Feinstein Voting Record & Scorecard | Institute for Legislative Analysis

US Senator from CA

Democrat

2023 Alignment:

N/A

Lifetime Alignment:

5.13%

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District Performance

Cook PVI Rating: Solid D

District Estimate: 7%

District Performance: N/A (N/A)

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Bill

Title

Lawmaker Position

H.J. Res. 42

Senate 2023

Combatting Skyrocketing Crime and Attacks on Police by Overturning the D.C. Council's Dangerous Policing and Criminal Justice Reforms.

This resolution, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), overturns the D.C. Council's Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2022. According to the sponsor, the District has lost over 1,000 officers and the D.C. Council's act "gives more power to anti-police activists, allows individual police officers to be targeted by protestors, and strips officers of collective bargaining rights regarding discipline."

Support is the Limited Government Position as protecting property rights and ensuring public safety through a well-staffed police force serve as essential components of government.

Unfortunately, so-called criminal justice "reforms", like the DC Council's acts have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced across the nation by George Soros and other left-leaning Billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations.

Against
Limited
Government

H.J. Res. 44

Senate 2023

Strengthening Second Amendment Rights by Nullifying a Biden Administration Rule that Subjects Pistols with a Stabilizing Brace to Additional Regulations and Registration Mandates.

This resolution introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify a rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives titled"Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached Stabilizing Braces". Under the rule, pistols with a stabilizing brace attachment would be reclassified as short-barreled rifles, and subject to additional regulations. Additionally, gun owners who fail to register their pistols with stabilizing braces with the ATF could face ten years in jail and hefty fines.

Support is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government.

This measure weakens Second Amendment and privacy rights of law-abiding citizens while doing nothing to deter criminals from continuing to engage in unlawful behavior.

Against
Limited
Government

H.J. Res. 45

Senate 2023

Protecting Taxpayers by Blocking $650 Billion in Student Loan Forgiveness Authorized by the Biden Administration.

This resolution introduced by Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the rule issued by the Department of Education on October 12, 2022, that suspends federal student loan payments and discharges debt. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the total cost of the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan is between $500 billion and $650 billion.

Support is the Limited Government Position as the Biden administration's plan further expands wealth redistribution through higher education.

While it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education, individuals who elect to pursue activities other than higher education - such as those who start their own businesses or work in the trades - should not be forced to pay for others' college tuition. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $33 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Against
Limited
Government

H.R. 3746

Senate 2023

Advancing a U.S. Financial Collapse by Lifting the Debt Limit without Enacting Any Significant Fiscal Restraints to Stop the Deficit Spending.

This bill, the "Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023", raises the $31.4 trillion U.S. debt ceiling through January 1, 2025. The bill is estimated to allow for $4 trillion in additional debt while providing roughly $1.5 trillion in discretionary spending reductions over ten years, which may or may not be fully realized. The bill also paves the way for a natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to Virginia and claws back some funding, which was provided to the Internal Revenue Service to hire additional employees.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the budgetary gimmicks within the bill provide little, if any, significant reduction in spending, merely continuing the country's march to a financial collapse.

Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $33 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Against
Limited
Government

H.R. 3746 (Amd. #134)

Senate 2023

Promoting Fiscal Responsibility by Rescinding Unused COVID-19 Funds and Reprioritizing Spending.

The Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) amendment #134 to the Fiscal Responsibility Act rescinds roughly $17 billion in unspent COVID-19 relief funds, allowing the monies to be used elsewhere instead of new spending.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this amendment serves as a step in the right direction towards spending reprioritization.

Against
Limited
Government

H.R. 3746 (Amd. #98)

Senate 2023

Preventing the Debt Limit Bill's "Pay-Go" Provision from Being Bypassed thus Ensuring Any Additional Spending is Offset by Cuts Elsewhere.

The Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) amendment #98 to the Fiscal Responsibility Act ensures that the bill's "pay-go" requirement cannot be waived by the Biden Administration's Office of Management and Budget. The "pay-go" requirement ensures that any new spending must be offset by cuts elsewhere.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this amendment serves as a critical safeguard to even greater reckless spending.

Against
Limited
Government

H.R. 3935

Senate 2023

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Providing $6 Billion in Additional Funding to Ukraine and Passing a Short-Term CR that Weakens the Chance of Passing a Responsible Budget.

This bill, a stopgap spending bill known as a "Continuing Resolution" funds government for another 45 days, delaying an otherwise imminent government shutdown to right before the holidays. This CR also contains $6.15 billion in additional funding for Ukraine and $6 billion in federal disaster relief funding. The CR follows previous funding proposals by Republicans, which contained conservative policy items like border security and spending cuts.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this "kick the can down the road" approach weakens the ability of conservatives to obtain meaningful spending cuts.

The measure shifts negotiations to right before the holidays when history has (as recently as the previous year) lawmakers refuse to make any spending cuts or shutdown government. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $33 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #1034)

Senate 2023

Ensuring U.S. Funds and Dividends at the International Monetary Fund are Not Channeled to Countries that Sponsor Terrorism without Congressional Approval.

The Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) amendment #1034 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" prevents funds contributed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from being channeled to countries that sponsor genocide or state backed terrorism, unless such funds are authorized by the U.S. Congress. The amendment specifically pertains to IMF's "special drawing rights" process.

Support is the Limited Government Position as, while the U.

S. should arguably not be putting up over $100 billion to the IMF, these funds and the associated dividends provided through "special drawing rights" should certainly not be received by state sponsors of terrorism or other adversaries of the U.S.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #1058)

Senate 2023

Threatening a Fiscal Nightmare through the Creation of a New Entitlement Program for any Resident of the St. Louis Region Since 1949 Potentially Impacted by the Manhattan Project.

The Sen. Joshua Hawley (R-MO) amendment #1058 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" establishes a new entitlement program for residents in St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding regions who may have been exposed to radioactive contamination from nuclear waste during the federal government-run Manhattan Project. Any individuals who had been present in the regions for any two year period since 1949 would be entitled to compensation if they contracted a cancer or other specified disease. Spouses and children would also be able to obtain compensation if the family member died. The amendment does not contain any funding for the new entitlement, which is estimated to cost at a minimum of between $50 to $100 billion over the next ten years.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, while well-intended, creation of such an entitlement program without extremely carefully crafted safeguards and limited eligibility could result in a fiscal catastrophe.

For example, the previous amendment to this same bill by Sen. Gillibrand, which pertained to the World Trade Center Health Program, demonstrates the skyrocketing costs such entitlement programs create. Unfortunately, greedy plaintiffs' attorneys seek out any individual who may be remotely impacted by an event and work to extract enormous payouts all at the expense of taxpayers.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #1065)

Senate 2023

Providing an Additional $676 million to the 9/11 Compensation Fund without Desperately Needed Reforms to Prevent Continued Cash Grabs by Law Firms.

The Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) amendment #1065 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" provides an additional $450 million to the World Trade Center Health Program as well as expands the program (with another $200 million) to now cover the Pentagon and Shanksville. This program, which currently has over 120,000 enrollees, provides compensation for health conditions that individuals may develop who were near the Twin Towers on 9/11 or sometime over the following nine months, including first responders, residents, workers, teachers, students, tourists, etc. Due to the benefits of the program, such as compensation for physical and mental health conditions - including loss of income and pain and suffering that may have been incurred from the event - the trust fund continues to run low on funds and outpace expected expenditures. For example, just seven months earlier, the fund was provided with $1 billion in additional funding under a previous Gillibrand amendment to an appropriations bill that was expected to last until 2027.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this well-intended program has been abused at the expense of both victims and taxpayers by greedy plaintiffs' attorneys who search for any individual who may have briefly been in the vicinity during the months following the event and then work to extract non-economic damages.

First responders and workers who spent substantial time assisting with the clean-up of the tragedy deserve care for the health complications that they sustained due to their work. To ensure this, reforms should be implemented to stop this abuse before additional funding is provided.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #1078)

Senate 2023

Growing Government Dependency and Out-of-Control Spending through the Reauthorization of an Old Native American Welfare Program with a History of Corruption.

The Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) amendment #1078 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" reauthorizes the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 which expired in 2013. This welfare program provides tribes block grants that may be utilized for a wide range of purposes surrounding affordable housing, such as housing development, rental assistance, and public housing projects.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill not only hikes government spending for a program with a history of corruption, but grows government dependency.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #222)

Senate 2023

Ensuring NATO Does Not Supersede Congress' Constitutional Authority to Declare War.

The Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) amendment #222 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" clarifies that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty does not supersede the constitutional requirement that Congress declare war before the United States engages in war.

Support is the Limited Government Position as the ultimate decision as to whether the economy and, most importantly, American lives be placed at risk through warfare should be determined by Congress - as enshrined in the U.

S. constitution - not a foreign entity.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #376)

Senate 2023

Strengthening NATO Accountability by Withholding Aid for Ukraine Until the Other NATO Member Nations Meet their Obligation of Two Percent of GDP Defense Spending.

The Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) amendment #376 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" requires all member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to meet their commitment of two percent of GDP defense spending before the U.S. provides additional funds to Ukraine.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps place pressure on the other members of NATO to meet their commitments.

The taxpayers of the U.S. should not be forced to continue shouldering a disproportionate share of the financial burden.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #421)

Senate 2023

Ensuring U.S. Service Members Dismissed as the Result of the COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate May Seek Reinstatement and Have their Discharge Statuses Changed.

The Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) amendment #421 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" allows U.S. servicemembers who were dismissed as the result of the Biden Administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate to seek reinstatement or a change in their discharge status. The amendment also restores their lost GI and VA benefits.

Support is the Limited Government Position as not only was the COVID-19 vaccine ineffective in controlling the virus, but the mandate also resulted in the dismissal of over 8,400 service members and hurt recruitment.

The COVID-19 vaccination mandate represented a clear example of government overreach and all service members who were dismissed should be allowed to once again serve their country.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #429)

Senate 2023

Handicapping a Future Trump Administration from Negotiating and Pulling the U.S. Out of NATO if Other Member Nations Fail to Make their Contributions.

The Sen. Tim Kaine (R-VA) amendment #429 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" prevents the President from withdrawing the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) unless approved by a two-thirds vote of the senate or an act of Congress. The amendment is largely directed at threats President Trump has made about withdrawing the country from NATO unless the member countries meet their obligations to contribute two percent of their GDP towards defense.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this ill-conceived amendment handicaps the ability of the executive branch, regardless of party, administration, or sitting president, to negotiate and hold NATO members accountable.

American taxpayers are being forced to shoulder unfair financial burdens due to other countries failing to contribute their agreed upon amounts.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #438)

Senate 2023

Protecting Taxpayer Funds from Waste, Fraud and Abuse by Requiring an Audit and Investigation into the $113 Billion in U.S. Funding Provided to Ukraine.

The Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) amendment #438 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" requires an independent and objective audit and investigation be conducted into the over $113 billion in funding the United States has provided Ukraine. The sponsor noted that, so far, departmental inspectors' generals have not substantiated any cases of fraud despite the enormous sums of cash delivered to the war-torn nation and cases of even Ukrainian journalists reporting fraud.

Support is the Limited Government Position as all taxpayer funds, regardless of their purpose, should be properly accounted for and necessary safeguards should be established to protect against waste, fraud and, abuse.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #838)

Senate 2023

Combatting Budgetary Gimmicks in Ukraine Spending by Ensuring Equipment Valuation is Based on Actual Cost to Taxpayers and Not Lower Depreciation Values.

The Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) amendment #838 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" provides clarity to the term "aggregate value" in relation to calculating the monetary value of equipment being provided to Ukraine under Presidential drawdown authority. Under the amendment, "aggregate value" refers to the cost of the equipment to the American people, not depreciation. The amendment would result in a reduced amount of equipment being provided to Ukraine per dollar amount approved by Congress.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this amendment helps protect taxpayers by prohibiting the Biden Administration from utilizing budgetary gimmicks to provide larger amounts of aid to Ukraine than approved by Congress.

Against
Limited
Government

S. 2226 (Amd. #926)

Senate 2023

Prohibiting the Draining of the U.S. Strategic Oil Reserve to Bolster Adversary Nations

The Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) amendment #926 to the "National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024" prohibits the sale of emergency crude oil within the United States' strategic petroleum reserve to four adversary nations unless doing so serves a national security interest or is approved by Congress. The four nations are China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The bill is largely in response to actions taken by the Biden Administration, which have drained the reserves to their lowest level since 1983.

Support is the Limited Government Position as, while the sale of taxpayer resources should be maximized, oil represents a critical national security resource, and U.

S. reserves should not be drained in order to build up the stockpiles of our adversaries.

Against
Limited
Government

S.J. Res. 11

Senate 2023

Nullifying an Onerous Truck Emission Regulation Imposed by the Biden Administration that Results in Significant Commercial Vehicle Price Hikes.

This resolution, introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the Environmental Protection Agency rule titled "Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards". The rule, covering commercial trucks imposes much stricter emissions standards covering nitrogen oxides and other air pollutants, including particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. According to the sponsor, the rule "saddles the trucking industry with an onerous regulation" and that "the prices of newer vehicles will escalate, incentivizing truckers and businesses to hold onto their older, higher-emitting trucks".

Support is the Limited Government Position as the rule imposed by bureaucrats within the Biden administration represents regulatory overreach and unnecessarily hike truck prices in order to promote a politicized climate change agenda.

Against
Limited
Government

S.J. Res. 18

Senate 2023

Overturning a Biden Administration Policy that Provides Residency Status to Immigrants who Are Reliant on Government Welfare Programs

This resolution, introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) titled "Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility". This rule largely undermines the reforms implemented under the Trump administration, reforms that made it less likely that an immigrant is provided permanent legal status if they obtain taxpayer-funded welfare benefits, such as food stamps, housing vouchers, or Medicaid. Under the Biden administration's rule, immigrants can receive a much greater amount of welfare and not be considered a "public charge" (primarily dependent on the government for subsistence), which would negate their application for residency.

Support is the Limited Government Position as U.

S. immigration policy should be merit-based, wherein residency status is only provided to individuals who are able to fully support themselves and contribute to society. An open border coupled with lavish welfare benefits fuels illegal immigration, which will further bankrupt the nation.

Against
Limited
Government

H.J. Res. 26

Senate 2023

Overturning a Package of Dangerous Criminal Justice Reforms in DC that Weaken Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Fuel Greater Lawlessness.

This resolution, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), overturns the D.C. Council's Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. The act contained several criminal justice reforms that would cut mandatory minimum sentences and reduced penalties for a range of violent crimes, including carjackings, robberies, and homicides.

Support is the Limited Government Position as mandatory minimum sentences are critical measures that help combat the practice of "judge shopping" whereby career criminals attempt to have their cases moved to be heard by the most lenient judge to avoid significant penalties.

The D.C. Council's criminal justice "reforms" would lead to skyrocketing crime rates, which has been the case of similar reform policies which have been advanced across the nation by George Soros and other left-leaning Billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations.

Neutral

H.J. Res. 27

Senate 2023

Strengthening Property Rights by Overturning Biden Administration Regulations Providing the EPA Overreaching Authority under the Waters of the United States Rule.

This resolution introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the Environmental Protection Agency rule titled "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'". This Biden administration rule overturned the reforms implemented by the Trump administration and provides the EPA with much more expansive regulatory authority than it was initially granted under the Obama administration. As a result, the EPA's regulatory authority includes not only rivers and wetlands, but ephemeral streams and ditches under the Clean Water Act.

Support is the Limited Government Position as the Biden and Obama administrations granted the EPA carte-blanche authority to regulate practically any standing amount of water, which resulted in property rights being infringed and enormous additional costs for landowners.

Neutral

H.J. Res. 30

Senate 2023

Overturning a Biden Administration Rule Authorizing Fiduciaries to Invest in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors Against their Clients Best Interests.

This resolution, introduced by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the Department of Labor rule titled "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights". Under current law, managers of retirement plans are required to base their investment decisions on what is in the best interest of making their client's portfolios grow. Under the Biden administration rule, fiduciaries can now base their investment decisions on political environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors even if they are not in the best financial interest of their clients.

Support is the Limited Government Position as, while all individuals should have the right to have their savings invested in the manor of their choosing, this politicized ESG rule will provide countless new avenues for deviant fiduciaries to act against their unknowing clients best interests and enrich certain companies and industries.

Neutral

H.R. 3746 (Amd. #104)

Senate 2023

Promoting Self-Sufficiency by Making Permanent the Work Requirement Provisions within the Debt Limit Bill.

The Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) amendment #104 to the Fiscal Responsibility Act makes the food stamp work requirement within the bill permanent by removing the sunset provision.

Support is the Limited Government Position as, while significant reforms must be made to government welfare programs to reduce government dependency, the existing work requirements should be, at the very least, enforced.

Programs, such as the federal SNAP program, crowd out the private sector, which is much more effective and better equipped to solve underlying challenges faced by individuals and making them self-sufficient.

Neutral

H.R. 3746 (Amd. #107)

Senate 2023

Restoring Fiscal Sanity through a "Five Penny Plan" that Makes Significant Cuts in Spending and Balances the Budget within Five Years.

The Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) amendment #107 to the Fiscal Responsibility Act replaces the bill's spending caps with a "Five Penny Plan" which caps and balances the budget within five years and limits the extension of debt to $500 billion. According to the sponsor, this plan is the "conservative alternative" that would reduce spending by $303 billion in the first year alone.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure represents an excellent pathway to restoring fiscal order to Congress.

Neutral

H.R. 3746 (Amd. #110)

Senate 2023

Combatting Illegal Immigration by Including the "Secure the Border Act" within the Debt Limit Bill.

The Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) amendment #110 to the Fiscal Responsibility Act adds a major border security provision modelled after the House-passed "Secure the Border Act". The amendment includes restarting border wall construction, hiring thousands of additional Border Patrol agents, equipping agents with better technology to detect drugs and illegal immigration, and additional E-Verify requirements.

Support is the Limited Government Position as an unsecured southern border presents a major national security risk and places an enormous strain on taxpayer-funded resources, ranging from law enforcement to welfare to education.

While lawmakers should work to boost merit-based immigration to expand the U.S. workforce and economy, major policy changes must be made to curb illegal immigration and prevent dangerous individuals from entering the country.

Neutral

H.R. 3746 (Amd. #91)

Senate 2023

Preventing Future Debt Limit Defaults by Enacting Automatic Cuts in Discretionary Spending.

The Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) amendment #91 to the Fiscal Responsibility Act adds a "No Default" provision to the bill. According to the sponsor, the amendment "removes the drama from debt ceiling negotiations by allowing the Treasury to continue to pay necessary obligations after an "X date" but will automatically cut 1% of discretionary spending every 30 days (not including entitlements) until Congress makes a deal, giving Congress an incentive to make a budget to avoid cuts to policy priorities from both parties."

Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure serves as a step in the right direction to restore fiscal sanity to Congress.

Neutral

H.R. 3746 (Amd. #93)

Senate 2023

Spiking Business and Consumer Costs by Imposing an Additional 25% Tax on Imports from China to Balance a Fictitious Trade Deficit.

The Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) amendment #93 to the Fiscal Responsibility Act imposes an additional tariff of 25 percent on all imports from China until the alleged trade deficit between the U.S. and China reaches zero.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure will inflict tremendous harm on the U.

S. economy through an additional 25 percent tax (tariff) on countless products used every day by Americans. It will also make U.S. businesses less competitive globally by hiking costs on materials sourced from China. Additionally, the amendment represents a misunderstanding of economic principles by attempting to reduce the "trade deficit" to zero, a level it is already at when accounting for factors such as Chinese investment in U.S. securities, stocks, real estate, services, and other items that do not physically cross the border. Free trade has been a foundational principle of limited government dating back to Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, who identified the disastrous consequences of protectionist trade practices in his 1775 book "The Wealth of Nations".

Neutral

S. 316 (Amd. #11)

Senate 2023

Strengthening Government Accountability by Prohibiting the U.S. from Entering into any Agreement with the World Health Organization without Senate Approval.

The Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) amendment #11 to a bill repealing use of military force against Iraq requires any convention or treaty reached with the World Health Assembly be ratified by the Senate. According to the sponsor, the World Health Organization (WHO) is currently drafting a new convention, which grants it significant new powers to manage pandemics. Proposed policies include requiring the U.S. to provide WHO 20% of the vaccines it produces during a pandemic, substantial financial and intellectual property commitments, and a "leading role" in fighting "misinformation".

Support is the Limited Government Position as, while it is questionable whether the U.

S. should enter into any agreements with the WHO or provide it financial support, any action should be, at the very least, approved by Congress.

Neutral

S. 316 (Amd. #40)

Senate 2023

Strengthening Government Accountability by Establishing an Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance.

The Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) amendment #40 to a bill repealing use of military force against Iraq establishes a new Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance. The amendment is designed to correct the current patchwork of oversight by departmental inspectors. Various federal agencies have so far uncovered no cases of fraud with the $113 billion provided to Ukraine, but Ukraine journalists on the ground have been reporting fraud.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps strengthen government accountability.

Taxpayer funds should always be properly accounted for and necessary safeguards should be established to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.

Neutral

S. 870

Senate 2023

Reauthorizing Wasteful Federal Fire Fighting Grant Programs that are Best Handled and Funded by State and Local Governments.

This bill, the "Fire Grants and Safety Act", sponsored by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), reauthorizes grant programs designed to bolster local fire departments through FY 2030. These programs include the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program at a cost of $2.8 billion. These grant programs were originally created in 2000 as a result of a budget surplus and provided $110 million, but have since grown 18-fold.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is the role of state and local governments - not the federal bureaucracy - to provide funding and allocate the resources necessary to ensure fire protection.

While fire and EMS are essential government functions, these federal grant programs are rife with waste and cronyism and fail to direct taxpayer funds to where they would be most beneficial and impactful.

Neutral

S. 870 (Amd. #72)

Senate 2023

Strengthening Government Integrity by Reorganizing a FEMA Program Board to Ensure the Individuals Appropriating $1 Billion in Funds are not also the Recipients of the Cash.

The Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) amendment #72 to the Fire Grants and Safety Act restructures FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Over the past couple of years, appropriations to this program have grown by nearly five-fold to approximately $1 billion. According to the sponsor, the Board distributing these funds is comprised of the very same organizations receiving these funds. The amendment restructures the board to ensure the individuals sitting on it do not have a conflict of interest.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure strengthens government integrity by correcting a clear conflict of interest, and, as the sponsor stated, "ensure the pitcher is not also the umpire".

Neutral

S. 870 (Amd. #79)

Senate 2023

Strengthening Individual Liberties by Penalizing Localities that Terminated Employees for Refusing to Obtain a COVID-19 Vaccination.

The Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) amendment #79 to the Fire Grants and Safety Act prohibits funds from being provided to fire departments that terminated staff for failing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this crony grant program should not be reauthorized in the first place as it is the role of state and local entities - not the federal bureaucracy - to fund and determine the best use of fire protection resources.

This amendment helps promote the protection of individual liberties by penalizing localities that refused to respect the right of individuals to decide whether or not to obtain the COVID-19 vaccination.

Neutral

S. 870 (Amd. #81)

Senate 2023

Advancing Fiscal Responsibility by Reprioritizing Unspent COVID-19 Funds to Help Pay for the Fire Grants and Safety Act.

The Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) amendment #81 to the Fire Grants and Safety Act transfers all remaining unobligated State and local COVID-19 relief funds to offset a portion of the cost of the grants.

Support is the Limited Government Position as this amendment serves as a step in the right direction towards spending reprioritization.

Neutral

S.J. Res. 10

Senate 2023

Overturning a Biden Administration Rule which Paves the Way for Taxpayer Funding of Abortion on Demand at the VA Without Critical Safeguards.

This resolution, introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the Department of Veterans Affairs rule titled "Reproductive Health Services", which authorizes the VA to provide abortion-related services to veterans. While the Biden administration rule technically limits the abortion services to just cases of rape, incest, or the life of the veteran being placed in jeopardy, the rule lacks the traditional language needed to actually restrict the practice to these cases. For example, the rule does not limit the "life of the veteran" to include only "physical health," those allowing abortion in cases of "mental" or "emotional strain," and without any limitation up until birth.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the failure to include critical language limiting the practice ultimately results in taxpayers being forced to fund abortion in nearly any case and up until the moment of birth.

Taxpayers, many of whom are opposed to abortion on religious grounds, should not be forced to fund abortion on demand at the VA.

Neutral

S.J. Res. 24

Senate 2023

Protecting Property Rights by Nullifying an Overreaching Biden Administration Rule Concerning the Northern-Long Eared Bat on the Endangered Species Act.

This resolution introduced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify a rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service titled"Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat". The rule changed the classification of the northern-long eared bat from "threatened" to "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to the population suffering from an outbreak of white-nose syndrome. According to the sponsor, the Biden administration rule "is an example of the ESA being used to stifle development rather than its intended purpose, which is to protect species from human-caused harm".

Support is the Limited Government Position as the rule results in a disproportionate regulatory burden imposed by unaccountable bureaucrats who will empower radical environmental groups to shutdown development and infrastructure expansion through much of the continental United States.

Neutral

S.J. Res. 4

Senate 2023

Removing the 1982 Deadline for Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which would Fuel Frivolous Litigation.

This resolution, introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), removes the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA was originally proposed in 1972 with a deadline that at least three-fourths of states ratify the amendment by 1982 (which did not occur). The amendment codifies protections from sex discrimination alongside other protected classes such as race, religion, and national origin.

Oppose is the Limited Government Position as ratification of the ERA merely provides plaintiff's attorneys with a new tool to advance frivolous litigation.

Examples include alleged discrimination and "rights" potentially ranging from taxpayer-funded abortion to special benefits from businesses and government.

Neutral

S.J. Res. 9

Senate 2023

Protecting Property Rights by Nullifying an Overreaching Biden Administration Rule Concerning the Lesser Prairie Chicken on the Endangered Species Act.

This resolution introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify a rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a rule that placed population segments of the lesser prairie chicken on either the "threatened" or "endangered" list of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The classifications have an impact on farming and ranching activities.

Support is the Limited Government Position as the rule results in a disproportionate regulatory burden imposed by unaccountable bureaucrats who weaken property rights and drive-up costs for farmers and ranchers.

Neutral