Relief from Pork

Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE for September 11, 2017 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.

Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: Fiscal 2017 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations, Debt Limit, Continuing Appropriations
• House: Emergency Hurricane Harvey Supplemental Appropriations
• House: Fiscal 2017 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations, Debt Limit, Continuing Appropriations

Upcoming Congressional Bills

• Senate: Fiscal 2018 Defense Authorization
• House: Complete Consideration of Fiscal 2018 Omnibus Appropriations
• House: Deport Criminal Gang Members

Recent Senate Votes:

Fiscal 2017 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations, Debt Limit, Continuing Appropriations Vote Passed (80-17, 3 Not Voting)

McConnell, R-Ky., motion to concur in the House amendment to the bill with a Senate amendment that would make available $15.25 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 to partially cover the costs of responding to multiple natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. The amendment would suspend the public debt limit from the bill's date of enactment until Dec. 8, 2017, and would provide for government operations to be funded at fiscal 2017 levels until Dec. 8.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Also known as excuse to pork it up. Ted Cruz was right to call folks out on this, but in the end more of the same. Congressmen should have to address unique situations separately so they can be judged on individual merits, rather than glob things together, so everybody gets something they need want for their district. Disaster relief should be addressed without encumbrances, cost and payment addressed in the same legislation. But Congress won't DO that!

Recent House Votes:

Emergency Hurricane Harvey Supplemental Appropriations Vote Passed (419-3, 11 Not Voting)

Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution that would provide for the House to concur in the Senate amendments to a bill (HR 601) that would codify practices and programs at the United States Agency for International Development related to U.S. education assistance abroad, with further amendment that would appropriate $7.9 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 as an initial payment to cover the costs of responding to Hurricane Harvey. The total would include $7.4 billion for the Homeland Security Department's Disaster Relief Fund, which will be used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support ongoing hurricane response efforts. It would also include $450 million for the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program to assist small businesses and homeowners.

Rep. David Scott voted YES

Relief is right, polluting it with pork is dishonest. Ignoring the cost is irresponsible.

Fiscal 2017 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations, Debt Limit, Continuing Appropriations Vote Passed (316-90, 27 Not Voting)

Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill that would make available $15.25 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 to partially cover the costs of responding to multiple natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. The measure would suspend the public debt limit from the bill's date of enactment until Dec. 8, 2017, and would provide for government operations to be funded at fiscal 2017 levels until Dec. 8, 2017.

Rep. David Scott voted YES

Ignoring cost is irresponsible. Those are our leaders, aren't we proud of them?

Upcoming Votes:

Fiscal 2018 Defense Authorization - HR2810 

The Senate is expected to limit debate on the fiscal 2018 defense authorization measure and Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain is expected to offer a substitute amendment (S 1519).  The bill would authorize more than $680 billion for the Pentagon and related agencies as well as the Overseas Contingency Operations account.

Let me take this opportunity to express my opinion that John McCain has become a first rate asshole. He has my gratitude for his service. But that was 50 years ago, and this is also the man who one of the Keating Five, and until the last election, ran the worst campaign since George McGovern. The way that he hung Sarah Palin out t dry during the election was disgraceful.

Complete Consideration of Fiscal 2018 Omnibus Appropriations - HR3354 

The House is expected to complete consideration of the measure, which combined eight of 12 annual spending bills for fiscal 2018 for purposes of amendment. A floor rule adopted last week also added the four-bill "security minibus" (HR 3219) passed in July, so that when this measure passes a full, 12-bill omnibus will be sent to the Senate.

An omnibus is a vehicle of carrying pork.

Deport Criminal Gang Members - HR3697

The bill would make it easier to deport criminal gang members, including by making it illegal for foreign gang members to come to the United States and by providing for the detention and removal of non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. nationals if they are criminal gang members or participate in gang activity.

 Easier is good, but this smacks of pandering to the conservative base with minor legislation producing even more minor results. How about we treat them like enemy combatants and shoot them, problem solved.

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