Institute for Legislative Analysis

Don Bacon

The Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) amendment #19 to the "Parents Bill of Rights Act" directs "funds to follow the student" so they can attend the school of their choice (i.e., public, private, or home school). The amendment effectively establishes a nationwide school voucher program with the funds authorized for educational and instructional materials, tutoring, tuition for private school, and extracurricular activities. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure improves educational outcomes for all students by fostering competition and a market in education, which encourages schools to provide the best education so they can attract parents to enroll their child and receive the associated funding.

Improving Educational Outcomes by Establishing a National School Voucher Program to Provide School Choice.

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.

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

The Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) amendment #20 to the "Parents Bill of Rights Act" block grants funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to the states. The funds would be distributed based on the number of students in each state relative to the number of students within the United States. Support is the Limited Government Position as the Department of Education has become a bloated bureaucracy that goes against our Founding Father's belief in the concept of "laboratories of democracy". This measure helps eliminate waste, such as the distribution of federal funds to unnecessary and politicized initiatives, and instead helps empower state and local educational entities.

Cutting Waste Within the Federal Education System by Block Granting the Funds to the States.

The Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) amendment #85 to the "Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" prohibits any funds within the bill from being used for "environmental justice activities". According to the sponsor, the amendment is necessary considering President Biden's Justice40 Initiative directs 40 percent of Federal clean energy and energy efficiency spending based on ethnicity, migrant status, and income status. This includes fifty million dollars which went to the Climate Justice Alliance, an entity which organized anti-Israel protests in the Capitol rotunda last year. Support is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds should not be utilized to promote politicized agendas or distributed in discriminatory manners on such basis as race, ethnicity or gender.

Prohibiting Taxpayer Funds from Being Expended on Politized "Environmental Justice Activities" Within the Department of Interior Appropriations Bill.

The "Atomic Energy Advancement Act" sponsored by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) would accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy technologies, such as advanced nuclear reactors. Most notably, the bill makes reforms within the Department of Energy to help expedite permits and environmental reviews as well as reduce regulatory costs for nuclear energy companies. Furthermore, the bill reduces certain licensing fees charged by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for advanced nuclear reactors. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill reduces barriers for nuclear energy expansion and promotes low-cost energy, which is essential to growing the economy and improving the quality of life for all Americans. With renewable energy only accounting for about 20 percent of the U.S. energy supply, the country must adopt an "all of the above" approach to energy production that balances environmental concerns with the need to provide Americans with the lowest possible energy costs.

Expanding U.S. Energy Production by Streamlining Permitting for Nuclear Energy through the "Atomic Energy Advancement Act".

The "Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act" sponsored by Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID) would require the Department of Interior (DOI) to hold lease sales every year, rather than every two years. Additionally, the bill helps speed up the permit process for lease sales by setting a 30-day deadline for the DOI to notify an applicant if a permit has been approved. According to the sponsor, the bill "will hold the Department of Interior accountable and is key to bolstering domestic energy production, reducing our reliance on foreign adversaries and meeting America's growing energy demands." Support is the Limited Government Position as low-cost energy is essential to growing the economy and improving the quality of life for all Americans. Lawmakers must open up federal land to safe and responsible energy extraction, so Americans are provided with the lowest possible energy costs.

Advancing American Energy Dominance by Requiring the Department of Interior to Hold More Frequent Lease Sales and Speed up the Permitting Process through the "CLEAN Act".

The Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) amendment #57 to the "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024" prevents any funds within the appropriation from being provided to the United Nations unless explicitly authorized by Congress. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure strengthens accountability of taxpayer funds and helps prevent their misuse. Furthermore, other countries in the United Nations have continually failed to contribute their fair share of global support and the United States can no longer continue to provide its enormous levels of foreign aid when congress is running a budget deficit of $1.7 trillion. 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.

Strengthening Accountability of Taxpayer Funds by Ensuring No Cash is Provided to the United Nations Unless Explicitly Authorized by Congress.

The Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) amendment #1 to the "Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2025" eliminates funding for the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL). According to the sponsor, the program has been "inappropriately used to host social justice themed adventures for foreign delegations on the U.S. taxpayer dime". The sponsor noted that in 2023 and 2024 COIL organized at least 13 trips dedicated exclusively to social advocacy or diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Support is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds should not be utilized to push politized initiatives such as DEI or ESG frameworks. Furthermore, lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $35 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the $200 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Defunding the Congressional Office for International Leadership - An Unnecessary Entity that Organizes Politicized DEI Trips for Foreign Delegations.

The Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) amendment #32 to the "Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024" cuts the appropriation for the Great Lakes Authority in half ($2.5 million). This program was created in 2022 to fund watershed programs in a handful of states. According to the sponsor, the program serves as an example of waste as it "does not have a Federal co-chair, it has no website, it has no programs funded", yet is receiving a $5 million appropriation. Support is the Limited Government Position as every program and initiative not pertaining to a core function or duty of government must be cut or significantly scaled back to get our nation's fiscal house back in order. Our $33 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Cutting $2.5 Million from a Wasteful "Great Lakes Authority" that has No Website, Programs, or Federal Co-Chair.

The Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) amendment #5 to the "Parents Bill of Rights Act" substitutes the bill in its entirety to a new version. The new version contains provisions that include: protecting a schools ability to teach Critical Race Theory (CRT) and gender and LGBTQ+ ideology to students; protecting a school's library's ability to display books that may have sexual content; and hiking spending for a number of federally-funded education programs. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is the role of parents - not government bureaucrats - to introduce and discuss sensitive issues with their children and decide whether they should be introduced to CRT and other politicized content. All school curriculum and learning materials should pertain only to core subject areas and accessible to parents for review.

Granting Schools Authority to Teach Critical Race Theory and Distribute Books with Sexual and LGBTQ+ Content to Students.

The Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) amendment #9 to the "Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024" eliminates funding ($240 million) for the Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. The sponsor cited a study by the Heritage Foundation that found the program "to be largely ineffective at meeting its goals of increasing community investment and development". Support is the Limited Government Position as this fund represents corporate welfare at its finest through the distortion of the free market to enrich government-favored entities. 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.

Eliminating $240 Million in Wasteful Spending for the Crony Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which Provides Corporate Welfare.

The Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) amendment #63 to the "Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024" prohibits funding for the White House Gender Policy Council. According to the sponsor, the entity is promoting a "woke DEI agenda" and is "pro-abortion and pro-transgender". Support is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds should not be utilized to push politized initiatives or for an entity that does not perform a core function of government.

Eliminating Funding for the White House Gender Policy Council, which Promotes DEI, Transgenderism, and Abortion.

This bill introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) permanently freezes all Iranian-sanctioned assets, including the $6 billion in funds that the Biden Administration unfroze on September 11, 2023, and prohibits the President from using any waiver authority, including licenses, guidance, or FAQs, to lift sanctions. According to the sponsor, "Americans deserve leaders who unequivocally stand against terror and with our ally Israel, not those who facilitate Tehran's access to billions of dollars". Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps strengthen national security by preventing the free flow of billions of dollars to Iran, a country known to harbor terrorists.

Strengthening National Security by Permanently Freezing the $6 Billion in Iranian-Sanctioned Assets which the Biden Administration had Recklessly Unfrozen.

The "One Seat Ride Act", introduced by Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ), directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on the feasibility of single-seat commuter rail trips, particularly on New Jersey's Raritan Valley Line. Currently, Raritan Valley Line passengers are forced to change trains at Newark Penn Station to access New York City. A 'One-Seat-Ride' allows passengers to take a single train to NYC. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as implementation of a "one-seat-ride" would inevitably result in greater taxpayer-funded subsidies for transit. It should not be the role of federal government to set train schedules and routes. Instead, lawmakers should work to privatize all such transit systems - especially Amtrak - to end the practice of taxpayers subsidizing travel costs of individuals who wish to utilize such systems.

Advancing Greater Taxpayer Spending on Transit Subsidies through the "One Seat Ride Act" Which Studies the Creation of Direct Rail Routes from NJ to NYC.

The "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act", sponsored by Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), prevents the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing Clean Air Act waivers for state policies that seek to ban or otherwise limit the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles. The bill is largely in response to California, which has banned the sale of combustion engines starting in 2035 that is requiring all cars sold by that year to have zero emissions. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure is critical to protecting automotive freedom amid pushes by California and other states to force electric vehicle purchases. It is the role of the free market - not central planning by government bureaucrats - to determine the propulsion of new vehicle sales.

Protecting Automotive Freedom and the Internal Combustion Engine by Preventing California and Other States from Imposing Mandates that All New Vehicles be Electric or Zero Emission.

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.

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

The "Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act of 2022" makes certain programs under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), such as the National Risk Index, permanent and adds components, such as "social vulnerability", into program calculations. Additionally, the bill hikes the amount of money the federal government contributes to local community disaster resilience initiatives from 75% to 90%, with state and local governments now only required to cover 10% of the costs. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the incorporation of social vulnerability and other politized components weakens FEMA's ability to direct taxpayer funds to the most essential resilience efforts. Furthermore, requiring states and localities to contribute a mere 10% of the proposed initiatives cost results in an economic moral hazard, which disincentivizes local governments from selecting projects that are absolutely necessary and is a poor use of taxpayer funds.

Creating an Economic Moral Hazard in Government Spending Priorities Involving Community Disaster Resilience Zones and Initiatives.

The Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) amendment #102 to the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024" reduces the overall appropriation by $717 million to restore spending back to the level it was in fiscal year 2022, when accounting for inflation. Therefore, the overall spending increase would be roughly $600 million instead of the $1.3 billion proposed under the bill. Support is the Limited Government Position as this amendment represents a step in the right direction to restoring fiscal sanity. 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.

Reducing Spending to 2022 Levels (a $717 Million Reduction) within the Department of Agriculture and FDA Appropriation Bill.

The "Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act" sponsored by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) requires the Department of Homeland Security to take custody of any illegal immigrant who meets certain criteria and is arrested for, charged with, convicted of, or admits to assaulting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the number of non-U.S. nationals detained under the bill. Support is the Limited Government Position as ensuring public safety and national defense is arguably the most important role of government. Failure to secure our nation's border not only has catastrophic implications on the ability to maintain law and order, but also creates countless other issues, ranging from welfare to the education system.

Restoring Law and Order Through the "Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act".

The "Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act" sponsored by Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) would combat radical bail policies by ensuring judges and prosecutors know a defendant's criminal history, while also bring accountability to the bail system. Specifically, the bill would allow state and local jurisdictions to use Byrne grant funding to develop and maintain a public safety report for each defendant charged with a violent offense and report this information to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The legislation would also define bail bonds as an "insurance product" to require compliance with federal insurance fraud laws and background check requirements - thus preventing "bail crowdsourcing". Support is the Limited Government Position as protecting property rights and ensuring public safety through a well-staffed police force serve are essential components of government. Unfortunately, so-called criminal justice "reforms" 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 both liberal and conservative advocacy organizations.

Combatting Lawless Criminal Justice Reforms and Bail Policies through the "Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act".

This vote (the third attempt) elects Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to replace previous Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Support is the Limited Government Position as the research of the Institute for Legislative Analysis confirms that Rep. Jim Jordan has by far the strongest track record of adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution of any of the proposed candidates for Speaker.

Electing Rep. Jim Jordan as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives - The Candidate with the Strongest Track Record of Adherence to Limited Government Principles.

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.

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

This resolution introduced by Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify a Biden administration rule issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2022, titled "Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121". This rule requires financial institutions and firms that are safeguarding their customers' digital assets (such as crypto-currency) to hold the assets on their balance sheet. The rule has received criticism due to the fact the regulations makes it cost prohibitive for banks and other financial institutions to serve as custodians for digital assets. Support is the Limited Government Position as the Biden administration rule has largely roadblocked the ability of banks to hold digital assets, thus harming growth and innovation in the crypto-currency industry. This measure provides critical regulatory relief.

Overturning a Biden Administration Rule Making it Cost Prohibitive for Banks to Hold Crypto-Currencies for their Customers.

The Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) amendment #68 to the "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025" would prohibit any funds from being used to pay any United States contribution to the United Nations or any affiliated agency of the United Nations. According to the sponsor, "despite making up less than 5 percent of the world's population, Americans remain the largest single state contributor to the U.N., footing around one-quarter of its multibillion-dollar budget". The sponsor also noted that "we pick up the lion's share of the tab, while unaccountable, international bureaucrats make the rules" and cited how "the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization recently cooked up a plan to take on backyard barbecues, burgers, and brats, demanding that Americans eat less beef, less pork, less poultry to reduce emissions". Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps defund the globalist government agenda of the U.N. which infringes the individual liberties of Americans. Furthermore, other countries in the United Nations have continually failed to contribute their fair share of global support and the United States can no longer continue to provide its enormous levels of foreign aid when congress is running a budget deficit of nearly $2 trillion. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $35 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the $200 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Placing America First by Prohibiting U.S. Funding for the United Nations and its Globalist Government Agenda which Infringe the Individual Liberties of Americans.

The "Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act" sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) would increase spending by $40 million over the next five years within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by reauthorizing the "Marine Debris Program". Additionally, the bill would accelerate the establishment of a government-funded Marine Debris Foundation and allow the Marine Debris Program to receive additional funding from other federal agencies. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as while the removal of marine debris is a worthy initiative, the private sector is best equipped to fund these types of initiatives, which ensures waste is minimized and resources directed to the most needed initiatives. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $35 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the $200 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Growing the NOAA's Marine Debris Program - a Role of the Private Sector - Through the "Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act".

The "Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023" sponsored by Rep. Bill Keating (D- MA) would grow the size and scope of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the creation of a new "Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Grant Program". In 2023, NOAA allocated about $1 million for sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation activities. Under this bill, NOAA would hire additional employees and spend an estimated $33 million to provide grants to various non-profits which assist sea turtles. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as while rehabilitating sea turtles is a worthy initiative, it is a duty of state and non-profit entities - not the federal government. Taxpayers cannot afford to further grow the federal bureaucracy to support every animal group or the mission of every non-profit entity. The private sector is best equipped to fund these types of initiatives, which ensures waste is minimized and resources directed to the most needed initiatives.

Growing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to Award Grants to Government-Favored Non-Profits Under the "Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act".

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.

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

The Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) amendment #45 to the "Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" cuts $35 million in spending for the Appalachian Regional Commission, thus restoring the appropriation to pre-Covid-19 levels. The Appalachian Commission is one of seven regional commissions that direct federal funds to state and local projects surrounding job training and economic development. According to the sponsor, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) already provides the Commission with an annual $200 million appropriation through 2026, therefore every dollar provided in the underlying bill is above the authorized level. The sponsor also noted that even at the $365 million appropriation, the program is still extremely bloated, especially considering the only performance metric used to determine program success is the number of loan applications received. Support is the Limited Government Position as every program and initiative not pertaining to a core function or duty of government must be cut or significantly scaled back to get our nation's fiscal house back in order. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $35 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the $200 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Reducing Spending by Cutting a Duplicative Appropriation for the Appalachian Regional Commission - an Unnecessary Government Central Planning Bureaucracy.

The Fitzgerald amendment #184 to the "Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act of 2022" removes an "unfair" provision that exempted union employees from having to comply with the FAIR act, which prohibits pre-dispute arbitration agreements from being enforceable if the arbitration surrounds an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as arbitration serves as a significantly less costly alternative to litigation and if lawmakers are going to enact such a policy - which ultimately enriches trial attorneys - then union employees should not be granted political favoritism through a special benefit not also afforded to non-union employees.

Eliminating an Unfair Carve-out Provided to Only Union Employees Within the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act.

The Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) amendment #2 to the "Expanding Access to Capital Act of 2023" would direct the SEC to create rules allowing electronic delivery to become the default communication method for investment companies with their investors. According to the sponsor, "the amendment aims to modernize the policy, with investors opting in to paper disclosures instead of opting out while ensuring that paper will always be an option." Support is the Limited Government Position as this regulatory reform helps reduce waste and unnecessary costs for businesses and investment companies.

Reducing Unnecessary Business Costs Through the Default "E-Delivery" of Investor Notices Rather than Traditional Mail by Amending the "Expanding Access to Capital Act".

The Rep. Elijah Crane (R-AZ) amendment #10 to the "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024" strikes nearly $3 million in funding for the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, salaries, and expenses. According to the sponsor this entity should exist as a private independent think tank and that "funding goes towards functions such as gender equality, and there has even been a Gender Action Plan". Support is the Limited Government Position as it is the role of the private sector - not government - to determine the need and provide the necessary funding for this initiative. 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.

Advancing Fiscal Responsibility by Striking Funding for an Unnecessary "Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe", which has Advanced a Politicized Gender Equality Agenda.

The "Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022,", commonly referred to as the "burn pit bill", establishes a presumption that nearly any American service member stationed in a combat zone over the last 32 years could have been exposed to a toxic substance, resulting in additional health and disability benefits for an estimated 3.5 million veterans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of this bill could exceed $700 billion. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, while all veterans who sustained injuries due to their service should receive the highest levels of treatment and care, this bill creates countless avenues for devious plaintiffs\' attorneys to advance fraudulent health and disability claims and will likely further overload the VA, thus preventing veterans with service-sustained injuries from receiving the prompt care they deserve.

Establishing Unreasonable Presumptions Pertaining to Health of Veterans Which May Advance Fraudulent Disability Claims and Further Overload the VA.

The Kat Cammack (R-FL) amendment #4 to the "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" would eliminate all non-military funding in the Ukrainian aid package, amounting to a cut of $10.5 billion from the $61 billion bill. According to the sponsor, "this new spending, $60 billion, is designated as emergency spending, meaning it goes straight to our national debt, a national debt that grows every single second to the tune of $8 billion every single day". Support is the Limited Government Position as Americans cannot afford to continue to pour hundreds of billions into Ukraine - especially without proper safeguards to prevent corruption and waste. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $35 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the $200 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Cutting $10.5 Billion in Wasteful Non-Military Spending within the Ukraine Aid Bill.

The Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) amendment #1 to the "Protect Our Law enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act of 2023 or the POLICE Act of 2023" requires the Department of Homeland Security to make publicly available on its website an annual report on the number of illegal immigrants deported for assaulting a law enforcement officer. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps strengthen government transparency and accountability. Ensuring public safety and national defense is arguably the most important role of government. Failure to secure our nation's border not only has catastrophic implications on the ability to maintain law and order, but also creates countless other issues, ranging from welfare to the education system.

Boosting Transparency on the Border Crisis by Publishing a Report on the Number of Illegal Immigrants Deported for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officers.

The Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) amendment #53 to the "Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025" prohibits the inclusion of gender transition procedures, including surgery or medication, within the Exceptional Family Member Program. The Exceptional Family Member Program provides resources to military families with special needs and is designed for military spouses, children, or other dependent family members who require ongoing medical or educational services such as individuals with asthma, autism, chronic respiratory illness and intellectual disabilities. According to the sponsor, "if you don't know whether you are a man or a woman, that is fine, go figure it out, and you pay for it, not the government from money we don't have". Support is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds should not be utilized to provide elective services surrounding gender reassignment, as is the current case with Botox and other procedures designed to improve physical appearance. All such services and costs should be the responsibility of the individuals seeking to obtain them, not U.S. taxpayers.

Protecting Taxpayers from Being Forced to Pay for Gender Transition Procedures Under the DOD Exceptional Family Member Program.

The Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) amendment #20 to the "Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" reduces the salary of the Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning to $1. According to the sponsor, "Stone-Manning is a terrorist, and her terrorist booby traps still threaten the lives of foresters and firefighters to this very day". The sponsor also noted Stone-Manning's radical anti-energy activism, engagement in ecoterrorism, failure to carry out laws, and prioritization of climate initiatives and public land grabs over domestic energy production". Support is the Limited Government Position as Stone-Manning has a track record of clearly prioritizing the advancement of a radical progressive environmental agenda over carrying out the proper duties of her role as Director at BLM.

Holding the Director of the Bureau of Land Management Tracy Stone-Manning Accountable for Engagement in "Ecoterrorism" by Cutting her Salary to $1.

The Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) amendment #54 to the "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024" prohibits funding for the "Refugee Travel Loan Program", which is administered by the United Nations International Organization for Migration. According to the sponsor, this program is a taxpayer-funded slush fund that channels money to foreign NGOs, which take a 25 percent cut of the cash before providing the recourses to refugees. Support is the Limited Government Position as all taxpayer funds should be protected from waste, fraud, and abuse. Additionally, other countries in the United Nations have continually failed to contribute their fair share of global support and the United States can no longer continue to provide its enormous levels of foreign aid when congress is running a budget deficit of $1.7 trillion.

Protecting Taxpayers by Cutting Funding to the "Refugee Travel Loan Program", which Serves as a Slush-Fund Enriching Politically Connected Foreign NGOs.

The Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) amendment #54 to the "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025" strikes the $3.45 billion of international disaster assistance funding provided in the bill. According to the sponsor, the State Department and international organizations funded through this bill "have time and time again advanced and sent American tax dollars to causes that run counter to American values and our foreign policy objectives" and "taxpayers that can barely afford their own bills, their own electricity bills, food bills, and daycare bills". Support is the Limited Government Position as other countries in the United Nations have failed to contribute their fair share of global support and the United States is not in the position to maintain its foreign aid spending when congress is running a budget deficit of nearly $2 trillion. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $35 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the $200 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Placing America First by Cutting $3.45 Billion in International Disaster Assistance within the Dept. of State Appropriations Bill.

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.

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

The Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) amendment #76 to the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024" implements reforms to commodity checkoff programs. Under these programs, producers of certain products, such as beef, dairy, or poultry, are forced to pay into a fund (ex. $2 for a cow) that is used for industry research or advertising campaigns. The amendment increases transparency on how the funds are utilized and ensures taxpayer funds are used by the boards of these programs. Support is the Limited Government Position as, while government-mandated checkoff programs should be eliminated entirely, this bill serves as a step in the right direction to reducing corruption. It is the role of the private sector to voluntarily organize and fund product promotion for industry, not for big producers to utilize government to financially coerce small producers to fund their activities.

Increasing Transparency and Accountability within the Crony Commodity Checkoff Programs Mandated by Government.

The Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) amendment #64 to the Strategic Production Response Act strikes the entire underlying bill and requires the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to be stocked with oil from the United States, thereby prohibiting the ability to restock with lower-cost oil from Canada and Mexico. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this amendment unnecessarily drives up taxpayer costs and places barriers to restocking the Strategic Oil Reserve. This amendment is largely designed to obstruct North American energy production and provide financial benefits to the sponsors' state.

Obstructing North American Energy Production by Prohibiting the Procurement of Oil from Canada or Mexico for the Restocking of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

The "Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024" sponsored by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) reauthorizes through FY2029 the Emergency Medical Services for Children State Partnership Program, which is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. This program awards grants to state governments and medical schools for a range of initiatives surrounding emergency medical services that pertain to children. Examples include pediatric readiness plans, education programs, cultural competency, and specialized equipment. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is the role of local government entities and private healthcare institutions to plan and fund the healthcare services provided within their communities. The funding of these duties is not the proper role of the federal government, plus merely creates bureaucratic waste and inefficiencies in the distribution of taxpayer funds.

Furthering Federal Government Waste and Inefficiency Through the "Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act".

The Victoria Spartz (R-IN) amendment #4 to the "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" would strike sections 401, 402, 403, and 407, thus reversing the Presidential drawdowns which were increased within the underlying bill (increased from $100 million to $8 billion). According to the sponsor, we should not "be giving a true blank check to President Biden of $16 billion" and "we have the power of the purse for a reason". Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps strengthen government accountability and limit the wasteful spending being directed towards Ukraine. Lawmakers must rein in the out-of-control spending and $35 trillion in national debt, which, when coupled with the $200 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Restraining Wasteful Spending Directed Towards Ukraine by Eliminating a Provision which Hikes the Drawdown Authority of President Biden.

The Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) amendment #175 to the "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" prohibits funds from being used to carry out the observance of Pride Month authorized by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness for the "Cultural Observances and Awareness Events list". According to the sponsor, the bill is in response to cases of Air Force Bases, such as Robins and Nellis, holding various Pride events for the LGBTQ+ community, including diversity color runs and attempted drag shows. Support is the Limited Government Position as it is not the proper role of government to promote and fund the activities of select individuals based on race, religious belief, or sexual orientation. While gratitude should be provided to every member of our Armed Forces for serving our country, such celebratory activities and events should be privately organized and promoted by the LGBTQ+ community, not by government bureaucrats.

Ensuring Taxpayer Funds within the Defense Bill are Not Spent on Pride Activities and LGBTQ+ Events which Should be Privately Organized.

The Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) amendment #57 to the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024" strikes funding for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The $240 million is then redirected to deficit reduction. Support is the Limited Government Position as this amendment represents a step in the right direction to restoring fiscal sanity. 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.

Eliminating an Unnecessary International Food Program and Redirecting the $240 Million in Savings to Deficit Reduction.

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.

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

The "Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act" sponsored by Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) would extend the customs waters territory of the United States from 12 to 24 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States. The expansion is intended to provide the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) greater ability to interdict vessels engaged in drug and human trafficking from attempting to enter the United States. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens national security by improving the ability of federal law enforcement authorities to combat illegal immigration and drug and human trafficking. The measure is especially necessary considering in the last year alone, CBP reported a record 2.7 million encounters and hundreds of thousands of tons of seized narcotics.

Reducing Drug and Human Trafficking by Extending the Waters Territory of the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection from 12 to 24 Nautical Miles Offshore.

The Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) amendment #28 to the "Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" would ensure veterans can participate in state-approved medical marijuana programs. The amendment removes the current directive that prevents VA Medical Facility staff from recommending, making referrals, or completing forms and registering Veterans for participation in state-approved marijuana programs. According to the sponsor, the measure "would allow doctors to help patients weigh cannabis when choosing whether other medical options may be the best fit for that individual veteran" and that "we should not keep those who fought for our country from accessing what is proven to be a critical tool for pain management". Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens individual liberties and helps ensure veterans have access to the full array of medical options available and can obtain the best possible medical advice from their doctors.

Strengthening Individual Liberties by Ensuring Veterans and Their Doctors Can Consider Cannabis when Choosing Medical Options for Pain Management.

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.

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 Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) amendment #24 to the "Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" strikes the $12 million the bill provided to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. According to the sponsor, the Wilson Center is a "far-left organization dedicated, much like President Wilson, to far-left values around the world". The sponsor cited events where the Wilson Center "promoted ''safe abortion'' access around the world, claiming that denying abortion is violence" and Wilson Center articles "that suggested Europe should accept unfettered mass immigration, claiming that blocking illegal immigration is ''far right." Support is the Limited Government Position as non-profits such as the Wilson Center should obtain their funding from individuals and granting foundations within the private sector, not government. Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the political initiatives of non-profits.

Cutting $12 Million in Taxpayer Funding to the Wilson Center - A Political Non-Profit with Extremist Abortion and Immigration Positions.

The Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) amendment #11 to the "Lower Energy Costs Act" prohibits the Delaware River Basin Commission (as well as the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin) from imposing more stringent regulations on hydraulic fracking than passed by the state legislature. According to the sponsor, "unaccountable bureaucrats at the Delaware River Basin Commission have instituted a hydraulic fracturing ban for a portion of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, stripping away property rights and mineral rights from Pennsylvanians in contravention of the will of their very own legislature." Support is the Limited Government Position as state legislatures - not unaccountable commissions - should be the ones with authority to increase the stringency of regulations. This amendment strengthens property rights while also promoting stronger economic growth through energy extraction.

Strengthening Property Rights and Promoting American Energy Production by Restoring Regulatory Authority to State Legislatures Rather than the Delaware River Basin Commission.

This bill, sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) prohibits individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and repeals the "Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022". While federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in a federal election, DC enacted a law that allows illegal immigrants to vote in local elections. This bill repeals the DC law, which went into effect on February 23, 2023. Support is the Limited Government Position as the DC law disenfranchises American citizens by allowing their votes to be cancelled out by individuals residing in the country unlawfully. Ensuring the ability to vote is reserved only for citizens is a critical component to ensure free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Year
2024	100.00	70.37	87.50	100.00	70.00	47.17	93.42	87.50	17.65	0.00
2023	55.56	72.73	100.00	100.00	100.00	78.95	100.00	83.33	2.50	0.00
2022	100.00	50.00	100.00	0.00	100.00	33.33	83.33	66.67	41.94	33.33

Year	Score	Role	Party	Dist.
2024	62.44	Rep	R	2
2023	54.76	Rep	R	2
2022	50.63	Rep	R	2

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