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Elaine Luria Voting Record & Scorecard | Institute for Legislative Analysis

US Representative from VA

District: 2 • Democrat

2022 Alignment:

8.86%

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District Performance
Cook PVI Rating: EVEN (Lean R)
District Estimate: 21%
District Performance: -12 (8.86%)
District Based Rating:
F
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Title

Lawmaker Position

Paving the Way for Irresponsible Spending Through the Second CR which Allows the Lame Duck Congress, Not the New Congress, to Set Government Funding.

The "Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023" funds the federal government through December 23, 2022, as opposed to January 2023 when a new congress will be sworn in following the November election. Such an action will result in members of congress who lost their election, but are still sitting in office (a concept commonly known as "lame duck"), to set government funding for the next year, rather than the next congress.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as allowing lame duck members of congress to set funding levels - especially with a holiday deadline - will likely result in greater irresponsible spending.
Budgets should be set by sitting members of congress, the individuals who are held accountable by the voters, not members who are on their way out of office.
Against
Limited
Government

Reauthorizing the Peace Corps with a Significant Hike in Spending and New Benefits Provided to Participants.

The "Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022" further increases funding for the Peace Corps while making several adjustments to the program, such as larger allowances and greater health benefits to program participants.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the Peace Corps serves as just one of many foreign aid programs of the United States and the country is not in the position to grow its foreign aid spending when congress is running a budget deficit of $1.
4 trillion. Significant spending cuts must take place across government in order to reverse our $30 trillion national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in unfunded federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
Against
Limited
Government

Weakening Second Amendment Rights Through a Ban on the Sale and Possession of Semi-Automatic Firearms.

The "Assault Weapons Ban of 2022" makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer or possess a semi-automatic firearm or large capacity ammunition feeding device.
Oppose 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.
Additionally, as congressionally mandated studies on the previous federal assault weapon ban concluded, the ban had no impact in curbing violent crime, as these bans do not deter criminals from continuing to engage in unlawful behavior.
Against
Limited
Government

Harming Recruitment Efforts of Active Military Personnel by Providing GI Bill Education Benefits to All National Guard and Reserve Members.

The "Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021" expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance to national guardsmen and reservists.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the educational benefits provided under the GI bill serve as a significant recruitment benefit to entice individuals to serve our country in active service roles.
Expanding these benefits to all members of the national guard and reserve will not only cost taxpayers billions in additional costs, but may also persuade individuals to select reserve positions over active service roles.
Against
Limited
Government

Establishing Additional Health Insurance Mandates Regarding Dental Birth Defects, which will Drive Up Rates and Make Healthcare Even Less Affordable.

The "Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act" establishes a series of additional coverage mandates surrounding patient anomaly and birth defects (primarily oral treatments) that all public and private health insurers must include in all policy offerings.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents individuals from having the ability to select a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs.
As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals opting to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.
Against
Limited
Government

Increasing Frivolous Litigation and Legal Liabilities by Making "Hair Texture and Style" a Protected Characteristic in Employment and Housing.

The "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act of 2022" makes a person's hair texture or hairstyle a protected characteristic if is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. CROWN applies to public accommodations, employment, and federally assisted programs.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill allows anyone who alleges they have been discriminated against based on their hair to file a lawsuit in federal court in the same manner one may file under the Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act.
As a result, both individuals making frivolous allegations and plaintiffs\' attorneys could abuse the court system and expose businesses to significant legal liabilities, potentially having the opposite intended outcome by making it more difficult for individuals with these hairstyles to find employment and housing.
Against
Limited
Government

Authorizing Seizures of Firearms Without Due Process Through the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act.

The "Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2022" establishes a national "red flag" program whereby any individual may seek to have a firearm immediately taken away from another person through an "ex-parte" (one-sided) petition to a court if the individual alleges the person is a danger to themselves or others.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the one-sided petition violates due process under the law (an individual can't provide their defense) and this program lacks provisions that prevent nefarious individuals from abusing the system to harass or harm law-abiding individuals, thus unduly infringing their Second Amendment protections and leaving them defenseless.
Against
Limited
Government

Hiking Non-Defense Domestic Spending by 7% and Promoting Cronyism through the Revival of Earmarks.

This vote authorizes the non-defense related components of the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022" which funds government through the remainder of 2022. The package hikes spending by an average of 7 percent, sets aside over $20 billion for climate change research and resilience, and revives the practice of earmarks - congressionally directed spending - which has not been permitted for years due to the cronyism of the practice.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further fuels out-of-control spending despite the fact congress is running a budget deficit of $1.
4 trillion. Significant cuts must take place across government in order to reverse our $30 trillion national debt, which coupled with the over $185 trillion in unfunded federal liabilities, represent the greatest existential threat facing this country.
Against
Limited
Government

Requiring a Study to Further Grow the Department Of Veterans Affairs to Include "Doula Services" Despite Much Needed Reforms or Privatization of the Broken System.

The "Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs (DOULA) Act of 2022" requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to study the feasibility and advisability of furnishing doula services to those enrolled in the VA healthcare system.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, rather than further growing the failing bureaucracy and services of the VA, lawmakers should work to streamline and shrink the department so that those who served our country can receive the highest possible quality of healthcare from the doctors of their choice within the private sector.
Against
Limited
Government

Preventing Private Businesses from Setting their Own Payment Method Policies by Mandating All Retail Establishments Accept Cash.

The Payne amendment #227 to the "Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act" mandates that all retail establishments accept cash for transactions under $2,000.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure infringes private contracting rights while also placing a significant regulatory barrier on "automated marketplaces" and businesses in high-crime areas.
While there are legitimate concerns for government attempting to eliminate cash and create its own digital and trackable currency, such issues should be addressed in targeted legislation as opposed to this overreaching mandate that harms businesses.
Against
Limited
Government

Removing Costly Data Collection Mandates Imposed on Small Business Lenders Under the Dodd-Frank Act.

The "en bloc No. 2" amendment to the "Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act" strikes section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to issue a rule requiring banks and credit unions to collect and report demographic data on small business loan applications.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this mandate unnecessarily drives up loan costs for lenders and small businesses, and largely serves as a political measure to help justify additional regulations and further growth of government involvement in the financial sector.
Against
Limited
Government

Bypassing the New Congress by Ramming Through $1.7 Trillion in Spending in the Final Days of the Lame Duck Session.

The "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023", which was passed on December 23, 2022 funds government through the rest of fiscal year 2023. The package is over 4,000 pages long and includes numerous earmarks, ultimately amounting to $1.7 trillion in spending. Spending increases included 5.5% in domestic spending and 10% in defense spending.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure was voted upon only days before the new congress, which would likely have significantly cut spending within the bill due to Republicans taking control of the House.
The bill also contained nearly $50 billion in additional spending on Ukraine (without safeguards to prevent corruption), bringing the year's total to $113 billion - totaling more than half the size of Ukraine's entire pre-war economy.
Against
Limited
Government

Advancing Government Racial Discrimination in Contracting and Unnecessary Conservation Initiatives Through Amendments to the Wildlife Bill.

The "en bloc No. 1" amendment to the "Recovering America's Wildlife Act of 2022" contains a set of four amendments that pertain to various conservation initiatives and includes a mandate requiring the Secretary of the Interior to produce a report detailing the number of contracts, subcontracts, and grants that have been issued to minority-owned businesses.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as government has a duty to treat all individuals equally - especially regarding characteristics such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity - in the application of law and in contracting and granting opportunities.
Furthermore, any actions that government takes that reduce competition in contracting (such as minority quotas) unnecessarily drives-up taxpayer costs.
Against
Limited
Government

Eliminating a Key Fiscal Safeguard within the U.S. Postal Service Resulting in $60 Billion in Unfunded Liabilities being Placed on Taxpayers.

The "Postal Service Reform Act of 2022" repeals a key fiscal safeguard implemented in 2006 which requires the United States Postal Service to prepay future retirement health benefits (i.e. "pay as you go"), thus now allowing USPS to further grow the over $60 billion in unfunded liabilities on its books.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the repeal of this essential safeguard will result in even less fiscal accountability at the agency and further balloon the already enormous amount of unfunded liabilities, which will ultimately become the responsibility of taxpayers.
Against
Limited
Government

Weakening Civil Liberties by Providing the Department of Justice Overreaching New Powers Through the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.

The "Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022" provides the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a series of new powers and duties, including assessing the domestic terrorism threat posed by "white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and the uniformed services."
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill provides employees within the DOJ, DHS, and FBI overreaching new surveillance and investigative powers and does not contain critical safeguards to protect civil liberties under the Fourth Amendment.
Additionally, there have been numerous cases of recent politicized actions taking place within the FBI, including their support of a letter from the National School Boards Association that characterized parental engagement on school curriculums as "heinous actions" that "could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism."
Against
Limited
Government

Expanding Bureaucracy within the Department of Health and Human Services for a South Asian Heart Health Awareness Campaign.

The "South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2022" requires the Department of Health and Human Services to create a new program supporting research and awareness surrounding heart diseases within the South Asian population and other communities that may be impacted.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector is far better equipped to effectively advance medical innovation, not government officials who are attempting to centrally plan research efforts without a plan to track financial accountability or measure if taxpayer funded resources are used effectively.
Against
Limited
Government

Fueling Runaway Spending by Providing the Restaurant Industry an Additional $42 Billion in Funds Two-Years After the Start of the Pandemic.

The "Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022" provides an additional $42 billion to the restaurant revitalization fund. The bill also requires the Small Business Administration to provide applicants with an explanation for a denied application and establish a reconsideration process for any denials.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the start of the pandemic shutdowns was over two years ago and all restaurants throughout the country have been operating at full capacity for months.
Faced with a congressional Budget deficit of $1.4 trillion, the country is no longer in the position to continue to fund non-essential programs. Significant cuts must take place across government to reverse our staggering $30 trillion national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in unfunded federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
Against
Limited
Government

Expanding Government Bureaucracy and Hiking Costs by Requiring Surveys Conducted by Federal Agencies Include Questions on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

The "LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act" requires the over 100 federal agencies that conduct surveys collecting demographic data, expand their methods to incorporate information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and other "variations in sex characteristics" into their published reports.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only does this measure further increase government bureaucracy and taxpayer costs, but may place some survey respondents in uncomfortable positions due to the sensitive nature of the questions.
While all members of the LGBTQ community should be treated equally and protected from any form of discrimination by government, this measure is largely intended to be used to justify new federal programs and further expand the role of government.
Against
Limited
Government

Expanding Cronyism and Corporate Welfare for Semiconductor Manufacturers Through Billions in Subsidies and Tax Credits Under the CHIPS and Science Act.

The "Chips and Science Act" provides $52.7 billion in subsidies to manufacturers of semiconductors plus an additional $24 billion in tax credits. The bill also provides over $200 billion in additional funding to the National Science Foundation and the Departments of Energy and Commerce for initiatives surrounding STEM, R&D, and workforce and economic development programs.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize government-favored private business entities.
The free market is far better equipped to engage in research and development, not government officials who are attempting to centrally plan research efforts without a plan to track financial accountability or measure if taxpayer funded resource are used effectively.
Against
Limited
Government

Advancing Unsustainable Federal Land Management Through a Study to Add Florida's Kissimmee River to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

The "Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act" directs a study to add Florida's Kissimmee river to the Bureau of Land Management's Wild and Scenic River program, which currently manages over 2,700 miles of rivers.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure will shift costs from state taxpayers onto the residents of other states not benefited by the river while also further growing the federal government's management of land.
The federal government already owns a staggering 28% of all land in the country, which has led to wildfires and countless other issues due to the Department of the Interior's inability to properly oversee and maintain such a massive amount of property.
Against
Limited
Government

Advancing the "COMPETES ACT" with $318 Billion in Wasteful Spending and Protectionist Trade Policies that Unnecessarily Hike Consumer Costs.

The "America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022" as passed by the House on February 4, 2022, authorizes over $318 billion in new spending, including $95 billion in subsidies to semiconductor companies and various other manufacturing entities, $78 billion to the National Science Foundation, and $8 billion for the Green Climate Fund. Furthermore, the bill contains numerous trade-related provisions, such as boosting Trade Adjustment Assistance and subjecting significantly more goods to tariffs by restricting application of the "deminimis" provision, which exempts imports valued under $800 from duties.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as much of this spending merely serves as corporate welfare and is unnecessary, especially at a time when the U.
S. national debt has exceeded $30 trillion and congress is running a budget deficit of $1.4 trillion. Furthermore, the bill's protectionist trade policies will drive up consumer costs and inflict significant financial harm onto countless small businesses, which import materials from overseas, and ultimately make American companies less competitive.
Against
Limited
Government

Increasing Regulatory Certainty and Economic Growth by Removing the U.S. from the United Nations Climate Framework Convention.

The Perry Amendment #167 to the ""America COMPETES Act of 2022" requires the United States to withdraw from the United Nations Climate Framework Convention, which strives to control global greenhouse gas emission levels.
Support is the Limited Government Position as membership in world-wide initiatives, such as the UNCFC, nearly always result in overly-stringent environmental regulations being placed on the United States.
Meanwhile, countries that are engaging in horrendous environmental practices, such as China, must meet and comply with minimal standards. As a result, the U.S. is placed at a significant competitive economic disadvantage on the national stage and Americans are faced with higher consumer costs, all while having a miniscule impact on reducing global emissions.
Against
Limited
Government

Placing Unnecessary Requirements Surrounding "Environmental Justice" in U.S. Sanctions and Foreign Policy Operations.

The Jayapal Amd. No. 5 to the "United States Innovation and Competition Act" requires the State Department coordinate with the Department of Energy to report on the impact of US sanctions related to innovation, emissions reduction, climate cooperation, and economic justice.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as foreign policy - especially the imposition of sanctions - are highly sensitive actions that have enormous impacts on global economic stability and United States national security.
Such actions should not be further complicated through unnecessary, poorly defined, and politized requirements.
Supports
Limited
Government

Jeopardizing National Security by Advocating the Removal of Sanctions on the Afghan Central Bank which will Provide the Taliban with $9.5 Billion.

The Jayapal Amd. No. 9 to the "America COMPETES Act of 2022" is largely designed to promote the removal of sanctions placed on the $9.5 billion in assets held by the Afghan central bank, which is under Taliban control following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The amendment requires the Treasury Department to examine the humanitarian impact of the sanctions, the projected increases in civilian deaths and refugees, and the resulting effect on additional Chinese Government influence in Afghanistan.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the removal of the sanctions should be based on the merits of national security and foreign policy implication, especially considering the Taliban's ties to terrorist organizations.
Supports
Limited
Government

Ensuring Taxpayer Funds within the COMPETES Act Are Not Sent to Foreign Adversaries.

The Lucas motion to instruct the conference committee on the "America COMPETES Act of 2022" ensures that section 2502 of the version passed by the Senate is included in the final bill. This section ensures that no person or entity of concern, as defined by the Department of Defense, can receive grants or funding from the National Science Foundation, federally funded manufacturing programs, or technology hubs authorized by the bill.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this motion establishes guardrails to ensure taxpayer funds do not end up in the hands of foreign adversaries, such as the Chinese Communist Party.
Supports
Limited
Government

Placing Taxpayer Funds at Greater Risk by Permanently Raising the Disaster Loan Threshold that the SBA can Issue without Requiring Collateral (Unsecured) from $14k to $25k.

The Velazquez Amd. No. 3 to the "Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act" permanently increases the unsecured credit threshold from $14,000 to $25,000 for disaster loans that the Small Business Administration may issue without requiring collateral.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure places an even greater amount of taxpayer funds at risk if loan recipients refuse to fulfil the terms of the loans.
Additionally, the federal government already provides significant amounts of disaster aid through countless other agencies, most notably FEMA, and businesses have a duty to take steps to protect themselves from unexpected events through the private sector (i.e., insurance).
Against
Limited
Government

Growing Government Dependency by Expanding Eligibility and Spending Under the Community Services Block Grant Program.

The "Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Modernization Act of 2022" grows spending under the CSBG program by over 27 percent and increases eligibility for benefits provided under the program to individuals earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level - such benefits were previously reserved for individuals at or below the federal poverty level. The CSBG is touted by proponents as a tool for the federal government to reduce poverty and is subject to less federal oversight, given funds are largely used at the discretion of state and local governments.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector, through charitable endeavors, is best equipped to fund the most impactful initiatives that reduce poverty, not government programs, such as the CSBG program, which has little oversight and a long history of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Against
Limited
Government

Establishing a New Spending Program for "Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grants" Containing Multiple Costly and Protectionist Provisions.

The "Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act" establishes a new spending program within the Department of Transportation that provides grants for drone purchases to state and local governments that follow certain protectionist "buy American" procurement mandates, if the purchase will result in lower carbon emissions.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of the federal government to provide states with drones and the bill's multiple costly and protectionist provisions unnecessarily drive-up taxpayer costs.
Against
Limited
Government

Reducing Economic Growth Through $750 Billion in Wasteful Spending and Tax Hikes Under the "Inflation Reduction Act".

The "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" serves as a slightly deflated version of the Biden Administrations "Build Back Better" social spending package. For example, the bill contains $369 billion in additional spending on climate and green energy policies and $64 billion in subsidies to prevent insurance premium spikes under the Affordable Care Act. Furthermore, the bill provides $80 billion to the IRS to hire 87,000 additional agents and imposes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the tax hikes imposed on corporations will weaken economic growth and investment by transferring an even greater amount of private sector resources to government.
Additionally, the country is not in a position to increase wasteful or unnecessary spending when congress is running a budget deficit of $1.4 trillion. Significant spending cuts must take place across government in order to reverse our $30 trillion national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in unfunded federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
Against
Limited
Government

Directing $1.7 Billion in Additional Spending at the Department of Health and Human Services for the Creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act.

The "Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health (ARPA-H) Act" would result in $1.7 billion in additional spending at the Department of Health and Human Services to create a new agency tasked with increasing biomedical innovation and improving disease treatment.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector is far better equipped to effectively advance medical innovation, not government officials who are attempting to centrally plan research efforts without a plan to track financial accountability or measure if taxpayer funded resource are used effectively.
Instead, lawmakers should work to eliminate all unnecessary regulatory barriers at the FDA so a drug isn't stuck in regulatory limbo for decades at a cost of billions of dollars.
Against
Limited
Government

Increasing Regulatory Burdens and Red Tape Under the Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund.

The "Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Technical Corrections Act" amends the STORM Act, requiring that state and local governments comply with the latest edition of building codes, which contains, among other things, stricter efficiency mandates and environmental regulations.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as additional red tape and complying with these "one size fits all" regulations are unnecessary to mitigating natural disaster risk and ultimately drive-up taxpayer costs while preventing program funding from being most effectively utilized.
Against
Limited
Government

Weakening Election Integrity by Nationalizing the Election Laws of the States.

The "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" provides the federal government new powers to set state election law. The bill includes a long list of provisions including, but not limited to, automatic voter registration, reducing voter ID requirements, increasing voting by mail, limiting voter roll maintenance, and making election day a federal holiday.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure is largely a political tool to benefit select candidates and ultimately reduces election integrity by overriding numerous anti-fraud measures that states across the nation have implemented to ensure free and fair elections.
Against
Limited
Government

Advancing an Ineffective and Wasteful Crime Victim Bill Rather Than Supporting Law Enforcement and Preventing Crime.

The "Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods" (VICTIM) Act of 2022" directs $100 million in new annual spending on grants for local entities to assist victims of crime. The funds are directed to be used for food and housing and other vaguely defined initiatives called "improving relationships with communities."
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill is largely politicized, with many ineffective and wasteful provisions.
Instead, lawmakers should combat efforts that "defund the police" and allocate funding to proven initiatives that actually prevent crime from occurring in the first place.
Against
Limited
Government

Reducing the Effectiveness of Taxpayer Resources Through a Greater Emphasis on Poverty Levels as Opposed to Cost/Benefit and Other Factors when Allocating Federal Funds.

The "Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2022" is designed to place an even higher emphasis on "impoverished areas" when federal agencies calculate and determine how they allocate their funding as opposed to other key factors such as need, return on investment, and cost and benefit.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all taxpayer resources should be utilized and distributed in the manner that provides the greatest returns on taxpayer investments, as opposed to politicized means such as "persistent poverty" which oftentimes is a consequence of fundamental underlying problems such as failed local management, crime, and corruption, and typically results in the waste and abuse of the federal funds.
Against
Limited
Government

Establishing a Politicized "Active Shooter Alert System" Under the Department of Justice with No Oversight to Ensure Proper Application.

The "Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022" establishes a communication network, which proponents tout is similar to an amber alert, that will notify individuals of an active shooter. This new network will be overseen by a new division within the Department of Justice.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as such an initiative, if carried out, should be developed and strictly overseen by local officials accountable to the people.
In recent years, the Department of Justice has been significantly criticized for carrying out its work in a politicized fashion and this system could be heavily abused to promote any potential shooting event or incident involving a firearm, thus serving as an activist tool for gun control.
Against
Limited
Government

Avoiding Fiscal Responsibility through the Continual Passage of Short-Term Government Funding Bills

The "Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act" funds the federal government through March 11, 2022 and serves as the third short-term continuing resolution passed since early October. Without passing a continuing resolution, a partial government shutdown would occur, providing advocates of fiscal responsibility greater leverage in budget negotiations.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as forcing a hard deadline on budget negotiations raises awareness of the nation's out-of-control spending and helps hinder passage of other wasteful spending measures such as the COMPETES act.
Substantial cuts must be made to the budget to eliminate the $1.4 trillion deficit and begin the process of paying down our $30 trillion national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in unfunded federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
Against
Limited
Government

Expanding Bureaucracy and Spending within FEMA to Establish a Largely Politicized "Nonprofit Security Grant Program".

The "Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act of 2022" authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to annually administer over $360 million in grants to non-profit entities to be used for improving their physical security. Such purposes include paying security guards, improving physical barriers, and remodeling their facilities.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is the role of state and local law enforcement to protect their communities and fight crime and not the role of a federal entity such as FEMA to manage such a program.
Furthermore, if lawmakers are truly concerned about improving public safety, they should focus on combatting efforts to "defund the police" and address crime head-on rather than advance largely politized measures.
Against
Limited
Government

Increasing Health Insurance Premiums by Imposing Price Controls on Insulin Co-Payments.

The "Affordable Insulin Now Act" imposes a $35 price control on all out-pocket costs or copayments for insulin products. The bill applies to all private health insurance and Medicare prescription drug benefits.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents individuals from having the ability to select a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs.
As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals opting to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.
Against
Limited
Government

Paving the Way for Irresponsible Spending Through a CR which Allows the Lame Duck Congress, Not the New Congress, to Set Government Funding.

The "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" funds the federal government through December 16, 2022, as opposed to January 2023 when a new congress will be sworn in following the November election. Such an action will result in members of congress who lost their election, but are still sitting in office (a concept commonly known as "lame duck"), to set government funding for the next year, rather than the next congress . Additionally, the bill provides $12.3 billion in funding to Ukraine, which is on top of the $53 billion congress has already spent on the country.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as allowing lame duck members of congress to set funding levels will likely result in much greater irresponsible spending than allowing the new congress to set spending levels, as they are still held accountable to voters.
Additionally, the bill's Ukraine spending includes $4.5 billion of funding directed towards helping the Ukraine government maintain operations, a specially troubling provision considering the lack of oversight and Ukraine's long history of corruption.
Against
Limited
Government

Forcing Taxpayers to Bailout the Pension Plans of Delphi Retirees (Parts Manufacturer of General Motors During 2009 Bankruptcy).

The Susan Muffley Act of 2022 requires taxpayers to cover the costs of providing full pension benefits to the roughly 21,000 former employees of Delphi Corporation. These employees have been receiving only partial pension benefits following the bankruptcy of the company, which served as the parts manufacturer of General Motors, a company that also went bankrupt in 2009. The bill also requires that all the former employees receive 13 years of benefit backpay and interest at a rate of six percent.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as despite the terrible precedent that was established during the government bailout of the banks and auto manufacturers in 2009, it is not the role of government to bailout privately owned companies and place the costs on the backs of taxpayers.
Additionally, this measure is especially unfair to the countless other workers and employees who have suffered similar financial setbacks over the years due to employer bankruptcies, albeit their circumstances did not receive the media attention garnered by Delphi.
Against
Limited
Government

Advancing Unnecessary Spending through a Package of 11 Amendments Concerning "Workforce Development" that Should be Performed by the Private Sector.

The "en bloc No. 1" amendment to the "Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022" consists of 11 separate amendments surrounding studies and funding for a range of different workforce development initiatives. Initiatives included in the study range from increasing the number of electric vehicle automotive mechanics, to creating workforce partnerships with private entities, to marketing and raising awareness of government career centers.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the best way to increase hiring and grow the workforce is through a low tax environment - not growing government involvement in workforce development, which results in higher taxation.
Additionally, the free market is best equipped to determine which positions are most needed in the workforce, not ineffective government central planning practices.
Against
Limited
Government

Advancing Unnecessary Spending and Regulatory Overreach in the Agricultural Industry Through Subsidies for Ethanol Fuel Expansion and a New "Special Investigator" for Competition.

The "Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act" includes $700 million in subsidies for agricultural producers and initiatives, including $200 million to upgrade infrastructure to blend both biodiesel and ethanol fuel at higher levels (ex. E15). Additionally, the bill establishes a new special investigator of competition within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to regulate and bring civil action concerning competition and trade practices across the agricultural industry.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the amenities of the agricultural industry (or any industry) and the promotion of higher ethanol-blended fuel, which causes significant damage to older cars and trucks.
Furthermore, the best mechanism to expand competition is through the free market, not through further the further expansion of government and regulations - which most often has the opposite intended result.
Against
Limited
Government

Creating Fuel Shortages and Worsening the Energy Crises by Placing Price Controls on Consumer Fuel Prices.

The "Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" authorizes the President to declare an "energy emergency," thus prohibiting anyone who sells gasoline or other consumer fuels from charging a price that (1) is unconscionably excessive, and (2) indicates that the seller is exploiting the emergency to increase prices unreasonably.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the nation learned first-hand the devastation caused by price controls which were implemented by the Nixon Administration during the 1970's energy crisis.
Instead, lawmakers should work to bring down high energy prices by empowering the free market to solve the problem, including removing any regulatory barriers to energy production and distribution.
Against
Limited
Government

Authorizing an Additional $40 Billion in Spending on Ukraine with Minimal Oversight to Prevent Corruption.

The "Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022" provides $40.1 billion in additional funding to Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, which follows the $14 billion Congress sent the country a couple months prior.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, regardless of the significant question of whether or not the United States should be engaged in the conflict, this enormous sum of resources (over a quarter of the size of the entire Ukranian economy) is coupled with few safeguards to ensure accountability and proper use, a serious concern due to the significant track record of corruption within Ukraine.
Against
Limited
Government

Driving Up Taxpayer Procurement Costs by Preventing the Department of Defense from Contracting with any Private Company that has Engaged in "Anti-Union Activity".

The Jones amendment #247 to the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from contracting with any company that has engaged in anti-union activity within the last three years as broadly defined by the National Labor Relations Board.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill ultimately restricts competition within the contracting and procurement process, which unnecessarily drives up taxpayer costs.
Additionally, the amendment establishes a blanket prohibition restricting the DOD from considering the severity or the circumstances around the situation, thus prohibiting contracting for mere paperwork violations.
Against
Limited
Government

Weakening National Security by Pausing the Continued Development and Upgrade of the U.S. Nuclear ICBM Program.

The Garamendi amendment #258 to the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" suspends funding for the Sentinel program, including the W-87-1 nuclear warhead. Instead, the amendment instructs a life extension program for the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (first developed in the late 1960's) through the year 2040.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as protecting the nation from foreign adversaries and maintaining a strong military is one of - if not the most - essential roles of government.
Adapting the philosophy of "Peace Through Strength" ensures the United States has the most technologically advanced weapons in the world, which is a critical component of avoiding costly and deadly conflict.
Supports
Limited
Government

Weakening National Security by Reducing the Number of Nuclear ICB Missiles Held by the United States.

The Tlaib Amendment #259 to the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" eliminates the statutory requirement that the U.S. hold a minimum of 400 nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as protecting the nation from foreign adversaries and maintaining a strong military is one of - if not the most - essential roles of government.
Adapting the philosophy of "Peace Through Strength" ensures the United States has the most technologically advanced weapons in the world, which is a critical component of avoiding costly and deadly conflict.
Supports
Limited
Government

Advancing Government Censorship by Requiring the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to Report on "Misinformation" that is "Harmful to Good Order and Discipline".

The Sanchez amendment #261 to the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" requires the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to develop a report that identifies how their departments are working to mitigate the spread and impact of malign disinformation. The amendment defines "malign disinformation" as any disinformation that is harmful to good order and discipline or related to extremist activities or vaccination.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the amendment's vague definition of "disinformation" can be abused by certain employees within government to censor political opponents and infringe on free speech protected under the First Amendment.
Against
Limited
Government

Growing Bureaucracy and Taxpayer Costs by Requiring the State Department to Post a "Climate Change Officer" at Embassies, Consulates, and on Diplomatic Missions.

The Keating amendment #273 to the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" requires the State Department to establish and staff Climate Change Officer positions posted at U.S. embassies, consulates, or diplomatic missions to provide climate change mitigation expertise. Additionally, the Department must develop curriculum at the Foreign Service Institute to provide employees with specialized climate change training.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this amendment imposes significant additional costs onto taxpayers and further grows bureaucracy at the State Department.
This additional red tape, such as the new curriculum mandate, may restrict the ability of employees within the department from receiving other training in fields that are more applicable to their job.
Against
Limited
Government

Growing Unsustainable Federal Land Holdings by Adding 1.6 Million Acres and 1,200 Miles of Rivers Under the Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act.

The DeGette amendment #285 to the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" adds the text of the "Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act" to the NDAA. As a result, federal land holdings and management would increase by 1.6 million acres across Colorado, California, New Mexico, and Washington. An additional 1,200 miles of river would be added to the national wild and scenic rivers system.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure will block mineral extraction and energy development while further growing the federal government's management of land.
The federal government already owns a staggering 28% of all land in the country, which has led to wildfires and countless other issues due to the Department of the Interior's inability to properly oversee and maintain such a massive amount of property.
Against
Limited
Government
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