Fellow Conservative,
On Monday, Congress will be back in session and will be working and debating a flurry of bills—including legislation on the most consequential issues facing the 118th Congress: illegal immigration and runaway spending.
Legislative Lookahead
Confronting Spending
The federal government has hit its $31.5 trillion debt ceiling and is now using “extraordinary measures” to continue making payments on its debt. Eventually, these measures will run out and Congress will be presented with a choice:
- raise the debt ceiling without limiting spending and continue to sell out the country’s future, or
- raise the debt ceiling ONLY IF equal spending cuts and pro-growth policies are achieved.
The debt ceiling is a tool. It helps protect taxpayers from the federal government spending beyond its means. As Congress debates the debt limit this summer, conservatives should use this debate to force Congress to make smart spending decisions.
Heritage Action has been driving the conversation on spending cuts. The proposals laid out in our Debt Ceiling Toolkit <[link removed]> continue to act as guidelines for elected representatives to pull our country back from the cliff of financial catastrophe.
Congress needs to know that the people demand fiscal responsibility. Call Congress <[link removed]> and tell them now is the time to cut spending.
Protecting Women in Sports
The Left denies the biological differences between men and women, which threatens the physical safety and opportunities of boys and girls across the country.
Biden has already proposed a federal rule, and has announced another one, that would change the definition of “sex” in Title IX law from its concrete biological definition to one based on “gender identity” (gender confusion).
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) have taken the initiative and introduced The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (S. 613/ H.R. 734). This bill would ensure that Biden does not get the chance to allow men to compete in women’s sports.
>>>Kev Vote Alert: Heritage Action has included support of this important legislation on our congressional scorecard. <[link removed]>
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act would make it a federal crime under Title IX for any institution that receives federal funds and operates, sponsors, or facilitates athletic programs to allow men to compete in athletic programs reserved for women and/or girls.
The bill is expected to receive a vote sometime next week. Passage of this bill would signal to the radical Left their war against reality will not be allowed to continue unobstructed.
>>>Take Action: Call your representatives <[link removed]> and tell them to protect women and girl’s sports.
Securing the Border
Heritage Action has demanded decisive legislation on the border <[link removed]> since before the midterm elections. Now, conservatives have a chance to bring about the first steps in securing the border.
A border security package is working its way through the committee process, starting with the House Judiciary Committee and followed by the Homeland Security Committee. A complete package, combining efforts of these two committees, is expected to be finalized in early May, culminating in a vote on the floor.
>>>Call Congress and urge them to secure the border<<< <[link removed]>
For a deep dive into the current issue and what can be done, click HERE to read our full toolkit on illegal immigration and what can be done. <[link removed]>
Key Vote Alert - Fighting for Life
Three weeks ago, Sen. Tommy Tuberville took a bold stance <[link removed]> in defense of life by opposing the DOD’s attempt to use public dollars to fund millions of abortions. Now, Sen. Tuberville is also taking a stand against the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is attempting to implement similar public funding of abortions.
>>>Call your Senator HERE<<< <[link removed]>
Sen. Tuberville has introduced a resolution of disapproval (S.J. Res. 10) under the Congressional Review Act that would overturn the VA’s rule. Heritage Action has elevated this bill to the level of a KEY VOTE <[link removed]>, meaning that the way Senators vote on this bill will affect their overall score on Heritage Action’s congressional scorecard.
To see how your senators and representatives have voted on past key votes, visit our scorecard HERE <[link removed]>
State Updates
Florida - Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law SB 300, a bill that protects babies with heartbeats from abortion (heartbeats are detectable at about 6 weeks of gestation).
Commenting on this achievement, Executive Director of Heritage Action, Jessica Anderson wrote in a statement, “Florida’s work is an example of how protecting life can be a winning issue for conservatives across the country”
>>> Read her full statement HERE <[link removed]>
Arkansas - The Arkansas General Assembly passed HB 1789 - The Technology Protection Act - which protects Arkansas from the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by prohibiting state contracts from being awarded to companies owned by the Chinese government.
China has been increasing their influence over America via companies under the control of the CCP. Arkansas is setting an example for other states by fighting back against CCP influence.
We look forward to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signing the bill into law.
>>> Read Heritage Action’s press release HERE <[link removed]>
Nebraska - The Nebraska Legislature passed LB 626 this week which, like Florida, will protect babies with detectable heartbeats.
It is estimated that 64% of abortions occur after 6 weeks, the point at which a heartbeat is detectable. This kind of legislation is a huge leap forward in the ongoing effort to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
The bill now heads to Governor Jim Pillen’s desk where it is expected to be signed into law.
>>> Read Heritage Action’s press release HERE <[link removed]>
Thank you for your continued engagement!
Jessica and the Heritage Action team
Join the fight to advance the conservative agenda.
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