Press Releases
The House Acts to Control Spending, Make the Economy More Healthy and Strengthen Our Security
Washington,
July 2, 2015
Washington, D.C. – At the halfway point of 2015, the U.S. House continues its focus on Americans’ top priorities – jobs and the economy, providing our Veterans with the care they’ve earned and improving our national security. So far this year, the House has passed more than 190 bills. Controlling Government Spending The U.S. House and Senate have reached agreement on a Fiscal Year 2016 budget that balances in 10 years, doesn’t raise taxes and confronts the $18 trillion debt crisis that threatens the economic security of every American. This budget supports a healthier economy and strengthens economic growth, while protecting Social Security and Medicare and making government more efficient, effective and accountable. This budget will lead to more than $400 billion in new economic growth over the next decade and add 1.2 million jobs, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. “Washington must stop spending money we don’t have and pay its bills like every American and small business owner”, said U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-4). “I supported this balanced budget and offered my own balanced budget amendment to the Constitution earlier this year. I’ll keep fighting for common-sense solutions.” The House launched the earliest start to the budget process since 1974, and already passed more than half of the 12 annual appropriations bills. Helping Veterans and Protecting Our Most Vulnerable One of the first major bills to be signed into law this year was the Clay Hunt SAV Act (H.R. 203), a mental health care law that will help prevent Veterans’ suicides by: requiring annual third-party evaluations of VA’s mental health care and suicide prevention programs; creating a centralized website with resources for veterans about the range of mental health services available from the VA; and requiring collaboration on suicide prevention efforts between VA and non-profit mental health organizations. The House also adopted a series of bipartisan bills to combat human trafficking by providing support and services to the victims of this crime and boosting resources for law enforcement. These bills build on the bipartisan efforts that became law last year to reduce child sex trafficking and increase adoptions of foster care youth. Each year more than 300,000 American children are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking. According to the FBI, sex trafficking is the fastest-growing business of organized crime and the third-largest criminal enterprise in the world. Removing Obstacles to a Healthy Economy The House consistently has remained focused on the need to strengthen the economy and reduce government obstacles to job creation. House-passed bills reflecting these priorities include: · The Regulatory Accountability Act (H.R. 185), which requires bureaucrats to institute regulations based on sound data and at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers. Reining in regulatory costs is important because these costs are often passed directly on to middle-class families. · The Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act (H.R. 50), which increases transparency and accountability by requiring federal agencies to disclose the full economic costs of federal mandates on states, local governments, and small businesses. The bill also requires the federal government to consult with private-sector employers that will be impacted by the new rules. · The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (H.R. 527) makes it easier for small businesses to expand and hire by closing loopholes used by federal agencies to skirt compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act. · The Hire More Heroes Act (H.R. 22) makes it easier to hire Veterans by exempting those who already have health insurance from being counted as full-time employees under the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). · The Save American Workers Act (H.R. 30) Thousands of workers have seen their hours and wages slashed by the ACA’s employer mandate, which forces businesses to hold hours to 30 per week or face a penalty. This bill restores the traditional 40-hour definition of full-time employment, thereby removing this barrier to more hours and better pay. National Security Both the Senate and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Iran Nuclear Review Act of 2015 (S. 615). This act establishes a procedure for congressional review of any nuclear development deal with Iran to ensure it meets American objectives. Its provisions allow Congress the option to pass a joint resolution barring sanctions relief and/or objecting to an agreement altogether. A nuclear-armed Iran as one of the gravest security threats facing both the United States and our allies, especially Israel. While progress has been made, much work remains in the 114th Congress, including: a long-term highway and transportation bill that makes our transportation system safer and more efficient; border security; tax reform and education reform. |