"NO" on Cornyn RESULTS Amendment
Today, conservatives from inside and outside Congress spoke at a press conference in opposition to the so-called Marketplace Fairness Act. Those in attendance included Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and John Fleming (R-La.), and a host of conservative leaders including Heritage Action CEO Michael Needham. After the press conference, Sen. Cruz fielded a question and discussed a Heritage Action study...
This afternoon, the House approved the rule governing debate of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 1947), commonly referred to as the Farm Bill. By now, most understand the farm bill is anything but; rather, it is nearly 80 percent food stamp spending. Last year in the Wall Street Journal, Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) and Heritage Action CEO Michael A. Needham decried this "unholy Washington...
Late last night, the House Rules Committee decided upon a final amendments package to the nearly $1 trillion food stamp and farm welfare bill. Floor debate is underway today and will continue on Thursday and possibly into next week. Despite Speaker John Boehner's (R-OH) promise for a "fair process that will allow for a vigorous and open debate," the Rules Committee once again adopted a structured rule. As a result...
On April 23, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) proclaimed the Gang of Eight's immigration bill, which he helped draft, "puts in place the toughest enforcement measures in the history of the United States, potentially in the world." Since then, Sen. Rubio has said (on multiple occasions) there are "valid criticisms of how the border security plan is structured" in the bill he drafted with Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL)...
"NO" on the Food Stamp and Farm Bill
"YES" on Huelskamp #101, Pitts #98, and Kind # 47
Washington - Although no language is publicly available, multiple reports suggest Senators are nearing a deal to advance the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744), also known as the Gang of Eight's bill. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham: "Today, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is trying to sell an alleged deal on the immigration bill to the U.S. Chamber of...
Conservative Action Project The Conservative Action Project, chaired by former Attorney General Edwin Meese and former Congressman David McIntosh, is designed to facilitate conservative leaders working together on behalf of common goals. Participants include the CEO's of over 100 organizations representing all major elements of the conservative movement-economic, social and national security. House Should Reject Food Stamp and Corporate Cronyism Legislation America's agriculture economy is vitally important to our nation...
Washington - Moments ago, the House's $940 billion food stamp and farm bill failed by a vote of 195 to 234. Heritage Action released the following statement from CEO Michael A. Needham: "Today is a victory for the taxpayer and the free market. Now is the time for the House to recognize what so many others have: The unholy alliance that has long dominated America's agriculture and nutrition policy must...
"NO" on False Border Security Amendments
Washington - This afternoon, President Obama announced his intention to sidestep Congress and have the EPA regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants under the guise of reducing global warming. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham: "Time and time again, President Obama has demonstrated a willingness to bypass Congress to advance his big-government agenda. Now, by executive fiat, he is pushing regulations that...
On June 20, 2013, the House of Representatives voted down the Federal Agricultural Reform and Risk Management Act, the so-called "farm bill," by a vote of 195 to 234. The bill would have cost an estimated $940 billion over ten years. By comparison, the last farm bill, enacted in 2008, cost $604 billion. That equals a 56% increase in farm and food aid since the last reauthorization. Roughly 80% of...
Last week, a gathering of conservative lawmakers and conservative groups including Heritage Action’s CEO Michael Needham discussed why the misnamed Marketplace Fairness Act, better known as the Internet sales tax (IST), is a terrible idea and should not even be considered by the House. This conservative position was amplified by a fresh Gallup poll showing an overwhelming majority of Americans (57 percent to 39 percent) would vote against an Internet...
Washington - Today, the Supreme Court The Supreme Court announced two decisions on laws regarding marriage. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham: "The Supreme Court issued decisions today that disenfranchised citizens and their elected representatives, but it did not redefine marriage throughout the nation. Citizens of California voted twice to defend marriage, but because their state elected officials refused to defend Proposition 8...
Washington - Today, the Senate passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744), also known as the Gang of Eight's amnesty bill. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham: Today's vote reaffirms that some in Washington seem intent on repeating the mistakes of the past. On policy, Senators emulated the failed 1986 amnesty. On process, they embraced the backroom deal making...
Washington - According to multiple reports, the Republican-controlled House is considering separating food stamps from farm programs. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham "We are encouraged to hear reports that House Republican leaders are actively considering the separation of the so-called farm bill. This is an important first step to restoring fiscal sanity and transparency to this debate, but it is only a...
"YES" on the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act
This amendment, sponsored by Reps. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Richard Hudson (R-NC), and Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) would reduce by $100 million discretionary funding for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Essential Air Service (EAS) program.
This vote enabled the Senate to consider the nomination of Fred Hochberg to serve another term as president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.