Fellow Conservative,

Last week, we witnessed something that hasn’t happened in American history for the past 100 years - the House of Representatives did not elect a Speaker on the first vote. Over the course of the week, Americans witnessed what happens far too rarely in Congress – an actual debate over policies and procedures.

After 4 days and 15 votes, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was elected Speaker of the House with 216 votes, 6 Republicans voting “Present”, and Democrat Hakeem Jefferies receiving 212 votes.

Out of this process came a new House rules package that Heritage Action Executive Director Jessica Anderson hailed saying:

“As a result of these reforms, conservatives will have the tools they need to fight the Biden administration and stand up for American families that have borne the costs of the disastrous policies of the last two years of liberal governance.”

These rules are just a few of the reasons to be excited for 2023! Let’s break down how this year is beginning to unfold.

House Rules

When Nancy Pelosi was Speaker she passed House rules that whittled away power from Congress members and concentrated it in the office of the Speaker i.e. herself. This new rules package undoes that power grab.

Motion to Vacate the Chair: This rule allows any single House member to make a “motion to vacate the chair” which would trigger a vote to remove the House speaker.

This 200+ year old rule was removed from the House in 2019 as part of Pelosi’s ploy to remain in power. Now that rule has been reinstated.

At least 72 hours to review bills: Too often must-pass bills have been introduced just hours before they are voted on, allowing members no time to read or debate the legislation—especially when it comes to spending bills. This new rule requires that bills be introduced at least 72 hours before they are voted on, allowing you the opportunity to contact your member for support or opposition

“Chairman Wednesday”: This rule allows committee chairmen to bring bills to the floor for a vote outside the typical process of having bills passed by the Rules Committee before they receive a vote on the floor.

With conservatives now leading key committees, this rule will give them greater influence in bringing conservative legislation to the floor.

These rule changes are just the beginning. There are many changes that included controlling spending, creating committees to counter China, and protect pro-life pregnancy centers.

A full list of the rules can be found >>>HERE<<< and an analysis of these rules can be found by clicking the link >>>HERE<<<.

Conservatives on the Move

Already, the House is making moves to protect working-class Americans from IRS intrusion, secure the border, bring accountability to the government, and uphold the sanctity of life. Heritage Action is eager to work with Congress to craft and advance a bold conservative agenda that will put our country back on track.

Supporting Working Families

In December the Democrats passed a monstrous $1.85 trillion omnibus package that included funding for an additional 87,000 IRS agents - doubling the current size of the IRS. This will subject a larger number of working class families to audits and financial scrutiny.

The Left tells us that these agents will target the wealthy, but even the IRS’s own promotional material portrays them going after small business owners instead of billionaires.

House Republicans have responded by voting to rescind the nearly $80 billion in increased IRS funding. While it is unlikely that it will pass the Senate, it is important that conservatives show through action that they intend to fight for the American people.

Oversight and Accountability

Heritage Action has continually called for the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The crisis at the border is a direct result of President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ failures. Their policies have resulted in:

• an increase in deadly fentanyl entering our country (enough to kill every American and the No. 1 killer of Americans aged 18-45)
• a rise in crime
• a threat to election integrity
• hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer costs
• a humanitarian crisis
• and a national security threat

Detailed work from The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project has also discovered government-funded NGO’s (Non-governmental organizations) have facilitated the crisis at the border. They’ve been an integral part of the chain to move illegal aliens throughout the nation, affecting 431 out of the country's 435 congressional districts.

This is the most pressing oversight concern of the 118th Congress.

Born Alive Protection Act

The House has taken a key first step towards helping the United States become a pro-life nation by passing the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act. This Act protects babies who survive botched abortions and are born alive.

Both state and federal data confirm that babies can and often do survive abortion attempts.

Shockingly, the Left refuses to provide any legal protections for these born alive babies. But with a conservative majority, the House can and has taken action.

In a Wednesday press release, Jessica Anderson encouraged all representatives to support this bill, and to work to ensure that this bill is only the first of many pro-life policies to save our nation’s most vulnerable population - the unborn.

Now that the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act has passed the House, Contact your Senator and urge them to protect living babies from infanticide.

Laboratories of Democracy

The federal government is not the only opportunity for conservative legislation. On the state level, a number of exciting bills are coming to life that will empower people to live their lives how they see fit— not how the government sees fit.

Education Freedom

Among the most exciting developments is the rise in demand for education freedom. States like Florida, Indiana, and Arizona have passed legislation where money follows students not systems.

These programs, often called ESAs (Education Savings Accounts), provide thousands of dollars for parents and students to spend on whichever form of education that is best suited for them whether it be public, private, parochial, charter, or home school.

This opportunity gives students tremendous opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them, especially students who live in rural areas.

>>> Learn where your state ranks in Education Freedom <<<

Heritage Action is watching the development of this legislation closely and will keep you updated about what we see happening in your state.

Currently education freedom legislation is expected in Virginia, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Utah, Iowa, Kansas, Idaho, and Arkansas, as well as others.

For more information on education freedom, visit SaveOurSchools.com. You’ll get access to model legislation, toolkits on how to engage with your local school system, and much more.

We look forward to working with you on every front to continually advance the conservative agenda.

Thank you for all that you do.

Jessica and the Heritage Action team

Join the fight to advance the conservative agenda.