Groundhog Day is such a weird tradition. Every year on February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil crawls out of his home. If he sees his shadow we will have six more weeks of winter. In Washington, D.C. there is another tradition, every time Congress convenes we see (at least) one more year of massive deficit spending. And, with Congress poised to pass a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, taxpayers have definitely seen their shadow and are scurrying inside their homes. This Weekly Update explains how the Democrats plan to pass the bill with ZERO Republican input. And, we highlight the January Profile in Courage.
Profile in Courage - Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman
Photo by The New York Times
Over the course of the past year, we’ve documented plenty of Profiles in Courage who have bettered countless lives. These exemplary men and women have found cures to deadly diseases, helped Americans stay connected to internet services during a pandemic, and given back to the most vulnerable members of society. January’s Profile in Courage – Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman – may be the most courageous of all. On the fateful day of January 6, 2021, Officer Goodman diverted an angry mob of insurrectionists away from lawmakers, buying members of Congress precious time to escape to designated hiding locations. And, for protecting hundreds from an angry mob of lawbreakers, Goodman is truly a Profile in Courage. Watching footage of Officer Goodman diverting the mob from Senate chambers, it’s clear that Goodman is an experienced officer capable of thinking on his feet in high pressure situations. This particular set of skills stems from Goodman’s four years as an infantryman in the army.
In chaotic situations such as the Capitol Riot, it is easy to be overwhelmed and take the path of least resistance from the perpetrators. Instead, Goodman strategically backed up as the “protestors” stormed the Capitol and started up a flight of stairs leading to Senate chambers. Knowing that the chambers lie to one side of the top of the stairs, he was determined to bait the mob to head in the other direction. To accomplish that aim, he gently pushed the man leading the mob. This move reflected restraint – designed to prevent loss of life and/or injury – and succeeded in getting the throng to pursue Goodman instead of heading toward the chambers. Shortly after Goodman lured the insurrectionists away from lawmakers, the Senate doors were sealed which gave lawmakers the opportunity to seek refuge. And, during this tense standoff, Goodman managed to stay in communication with fellow officers to describe the situation and obtain backup.
Fortunately, Goodman’s actions haven’t gone unnoticed. A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently introduced a bill to award the officer a Congressional Gold Medal for his bravery and service to America. Plenty of media outlets have written about the man and his selfless quest. Goodman puts matters simply: “My job is to protect and serve. And on that day, I was protecting.” A true Profile in Courage.
Budget Reconciliation Shenanigans
Once again we have the term “budget reconciliation” entering in our temporary lexicon. What is budget reconciliation? Imagine a family sitting down at the kitchen table and discussing adjusting their spending levels and setting new targets. Expand that to the U.S. Congress talking about the entire federal budget and that is essentially what is at play. According to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, both chambers may pass a resolution setting new spending targets for certain mandatory programs and a bill can be passed to meet the new targets under special reconciliation rules. Important here is the fact that reconciliation bills are not subject to the 60-vote requirement in the Senate. They require only a simple majority. There are some limitations. Only policies that change spending or revenue can be included. Debate time is limited and only certain amendments can be offered during that limited debate. Political observers will remember that the Republican Congress used budget reconciliation to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and attempted to use it to repeal Obamacare.
The Biden administration is using budget reconciliation to pass a COVID relief package without having to consult congressional Republicans. Reconciliation will also likely be used to repeal many aspects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, depending on how ambitious or cautious Democrats plan to be, there could be so much more including the Green New Deal and a federal $15/hour minimum wage passed under reconciliation that could do lasting damage. According to the 1974 law that codified reconciliation, only issues relating to budget, spending, and revenue may be considered. A further amendment in 1985 from then-Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) – known as the “Byrd Rule” – stipulated that any erroneous or unrelated provisions may be stripped from the bill if they do not fall properly under the requirements for reconciliation. The Byrd Rule requires that a senator object to a certain provision. Whether or not that provision is germane is subject to the ruling of the presiding officer. The presiding officer will generally be any member of the majority party or, in cases where a potential tie may arise, the vice president. Generally, the presiding officer defers to the judgment of the Senate parliamentarian on germane-ness rulings. However – though it has rarely occurred in history – when the vice president sits in the chair, she may overrule the parliamentarian. In such a case, it would require the votes of 60 senators to successfully appeal the ruling of the vice president, despite the objections of the parliamentarian.
This means the direction of the next two to four years rests very firmly in the hands of Vice President Harris. If she so chooses – and she repeatedly suggested on the campaign trail that these are where her sympathies lie – she could rule that some unrelated amendments may not be removed from reconciliation bills. Budget reconciliation rules, initially intended to address rising deficits and to counter presidential interference in the budget process, have been warped beyond all recognition. They have been used to speed forward policies like the COVID relief package which would only exacerbate the already multi trillion-dollar deficits. Instead of countering executive branch intrusion on the legislature, reconciliation is being used to accelerate presidential priorities. Reconciliation has long outlived its usefulness for the United States. Reconciliation is one of those security blankets. It’s time for our elected leaders to grow up and cast it off.
TPA on TV
FOX 45 (Baltimore):
One America News Network:
BLOGS:
Monday: Biden’s USPS Electric Fleet Mandate a Shock to Taxpayers
Tuesday: Biden Must Avoid Black Hole of NASA Waste
Wednesday: Time to Ditch the Global Bureaucracies
Thursday: Minimum Wage Hike Would Wreak Havoc on Ailing America
All Media:
January 29, 2021: The Hill mentioned TPA in an op-ed, Congress must restore faith with new ethics rules for its members.”
February 1, 2021: VP of Policy Patrick Hedger appeared on The Fred Holland Show (podcast) to discuss a TPA-spearheaded coalition letter on antitrust.
February 1, 2021: WBFF (Fox, Baltimore) interviewed me about Maryland’s COVID relief package.
February 1, 2021: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “Biden’s USPS electric fleet mandate a shock to taxpayers.”
February 1, 2021: Townhall.com ran TPA’s op-ed, “Rosenworcel Appointment Could Stifle Internet Innovation.”
February 2, 2021: The Center Square mentioned TPA in their story, “Group calls on governor, legislature to end Texas Enterprise Fund, cut taxes instead.”
February 2, 2021: Star Local Media (Plano, Texas) mentioned TPA in their story, “Group calls on governor, legislature to end Texas Enterprise Fund, cut taxes instead.”
February 3, 2021: The Galion Inquirer (Mt. Gilead, OH) ran TPA’s piece, “Big Tech helps small businesses during pandemic.”
February 3, 2021: VP of Policy Patrick Hedger appeared on Afternoons with Todd Feinberg on 1080 WTIC (Hartford, CT) to discuss the minimum wage.
February 3, 2021: The Stokes News (King, N.C.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Broadband funding to grab lawmakers’ attention.”
February 3, 2021: VP of Policy Patrick Hedger appeared on Mornings with Jim Lakey on 600 KCOL (Fort Collins, Colorado) to discuss the minimum wage.
February 3, 2021: The Galion Inquirer (Mt. Gilead, OH) ran TPA’s piece, “Biden’s USPS electric fleet mandate shock to taxpayers.”
February 4, 2021: VP of Policy Patrick Hedger appeared on OAN Morning News with Stephanie Myers on One America News to discuss the minimum wage.
February 4, 2021: WBFF (Fox, Baltimore) interviewed me about Gov. Hogan’s State of the State address.
February 4, 2021: VP of Policy Patrick Hedger appeared on Wall to Wall on One America News to discuss the minimum wage.
February 4, 2021: The Logan Daily News (Logan, Ohio) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Small business, The Dinner Club, thrives thanks to Facebook and big tech.”
February 4, 2021: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “Op-Ed: New 5G report predicts economic boom from next generation of wireless.”
Have a great weekend, stay safe, and as always, thanks for your continued support.
Best,
David Williams
President
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
1401 K Street, NW
Suite 502
Washington, D.C. xxxxxx
www.protectingtaxpayers.org
