The Club for Growth urges all members of Congress to oppose the FY13 Continuing Resolution (CR). We expect a vote on this resolution later this week, perhaps as early as Thursday. This vote will be included in the Club for Growth's 2012 Congressional Scorecard.

This CR is bad policy simply because it extends big spending programs, layers on extra spending, and provides only short-term funding for the government so that politicians can leave Washington to avoid politically sensitive events.

Even if it were a clean extension, this CR would still fully fund ObamaCare, along with a long list of other programs that fiscal conservatives oppose. Second, while technically legal, it breaks the already high $1.047 trillion spending cap established by the Budget Control Act because disaster relief included in the resolution is not offset. Third, it quietly affirms President Obama's desire to gut welfare reform's work requirements. House leadership, knowing this, will likely provide a "won't become law" cover vote on this issue in the days ahead, which shows you that "business as usual" is still being conducted in Washington.

We urge lawmakers to oppose the bill and to oppose the process.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

UPDATE: On Sept. 13, 2012, the CR passed the House, 329-91.

Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15960

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Member Comments (1)

 KEY VOTE ALERT
"NO" ON THE HIGHWAY/STUDENT LOAN BILL
Judging from news reports, it appears that leadership in both chambers plans to airdrop the student loan bill (and possibly the flood insurance bill) into the Highway bill conference report. A vote could happen in the next couple of days.

The Club urges all members of Congress to vote against this bill. This will be a key vote on the Club's 2012 congressional scorecard. We have already key-voted previous versions of the highway bill (House alert | Senate alert) and the student loan bill (House alert | Senate alert).

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public. Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15923

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UPDATE (Feb. 29, 2012): The Club for Growth urges all members of Congress to vote "NO" on the Camp/Baucus bill (H.R. 4105 / S.___) that applies punitive countervailing duties to non-market economies like China. The Club is key-voting this proposal, and recently sent out this alert stating our rationale.

This new bill makes it clear that Congress wants to escalate its trade war rhetoric with China. Among other things, the plan doesn't fix the non-WTO-compliant "double counting" practice (it arguably makes it worse), and it harms U.S. importers and consumers by validating illegal, punitive duties that have already been collected.

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The Club for Growth urges all members of Congress to vote "NO" on any bill, including H.R. 4071 sponsored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin, that gives the executive branch the authority to apply countervailing duties to non-market economies (NMEs). While we believe that it's unlikely that H.R. 4071 will be the proposal voted on, we believe something similar will be considered in the next few weeks. A vote on passage, and perhaps procedural votes, will be included in the Club's 2012 Congressional Scorecard.

The Administration wants to retain the ability to apply countervailing duties on China, Vietnam, and potentially other less developed countries. These duties restrict economic liberty and are anti-growth.

This may be a narrow issue, but its implications are significant. A recent court ruling (GPX International Tire vs. U.S.) held that the federal government cannot apply countervailing duties to non-market economies like China and Vietnam. Rather than pursue a pro-growth solution to this situation, like doing nothing and allowing the duties to expire, Congress wants to give the executive branch the continued authority to apply these punitive tariffs. We strongly urge members of Congress to defeat this proposal.

Further Reading:

• President Obama's Chance to Fix Deteriorating Economic Relations with China - Dan Ikenson, Cato Institute
• Bombshell: CAFC Rules US CVD Law Cannot Apply to China & Other "Non-Market Economies" - Scott Lincicome, Lincicome.blogspot.com
• Nonmarket Nonsense: U.S. Antidumping Policy toward China (PDF) - Dan Ikenson, Cato Institute
• Antidumping: The Third Rail of Trade Policy (PDF) - Greg Mankiw and Phillip Swagel

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15783

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The Club for Growth urges all House members to vote "NO" on the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act (H.R. 7). The bill is currently being marked up in committees, but we expect floor consideration in the days and weeks ahead. A vote on this plan, and perhaps procedural votes, will be included in the Club's 2012 Congressional Scorecard.

Simply put, this is a massive 846-page bill that doesn't cut any spending at all. Indeed, it spends at least $30 billion more by supplementing fuel taxes with additional revenue from other sources.

Supporters of the bill will claim that there are plenty of positive reforms in the bill, like no earmarks or enhancement projects, but it's still a remarkably bloated and inefficient piece of legislation. True reform would devolve infrastructure building and maintenance back to the states and end or greatly reduce the federal gas tax. Bills that do that are currently being sponsored by Rep. Tom Graves (H.R. 3264) and Sen. Jim DeMint (S. 1164). Supporters of H.R. 7 will also say that devolution takes time, but that this bill is going in the right direction. This is standard politician-speak for slowing down the reform agenda so that business-as-usual can resume sometime in the near future when nobody is looking. The time for reform is now.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15744

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The Club for Growth urges all members of Congress to vote "NO" on reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. Congress may take up consideration of HR 2072 or S 1547, or possibly some new proposal before the Bank's current authority expires at the end of May. A vote on this reauthorization, and perhaps procedural votes, will be included in the Club's 2012 Congressional Scorecard.

The Export-Import Bank's actions are nothing more than market-distorting subsidies that pick winners and losers in the private sector. Market forces should dictate trade flows, not bureaucrats and politicians.

While supporters of the Ex-Im Bank claim that it is self-sufficient and doesn't add to the federal deficit, the real problem is that the Bank's financing helps some companies to the detriment of other firms and taxpayers. A prime example, among many, is the Bank providing financing for foreign airlines to buy American aircrafts, thus allowing those companies to better compete against American airlines. In addition, Congress and the President are trying to expand the Bank's $100 billion finance cap by at least 35%. President Obama has a laudable goal of doubling exports within five years, but he shouldn't be allowed to goose the numbers by handing out market-distorting tax dollars to companies that curry the most favor or have the best lobbyists. Not only should members of Congress reject this expansion of authority, but they should reject the Bank's charter and shut it down for good.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15742

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Member Comments (1)

The Club for Growth strongly opposes the final Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 (HR 3671), otherwise known as the Megabus, and urges all members of Congress to oppose it. We expect a vote on this proposal later today. This vote will be included in the Club for Growth's 2011 Congressional Scorecard.

This is budgeting at its worst. This 1,219-page was made public less than 24 hours ago, and now House and Senate leaders expect members to vote on it before midnight tonight. This doesn't allow for a proper examination and review of over $1 trillion in spending.

That said, from what we have read, this proposal still spends over $30 billion more than the Ryan Budget from earlier this year. It also continues to provide generous resources for the irresponsible National Labor Relations Board and the over-reaching Environmental Protection Agency. It also provides countless billions for grant projects and loan guarantees that will pick winners and losers in the private sector. Overall, this bill spends too much, continues bad policies, and forces lawmakers to commit over a $1 trillion in taxpayers' money without giving them enough time to fully examine its contents.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

UPDATE: The House passed this bill, 296-121. Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15678

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Member Comments (1)

The Club for Growth urges all members to vote “NO” on the upcoming “minibus” conference report. We are specifically scoring this bill if it includes the higher conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FHA. If the conferees strip out this big-government rider, then the Club will re-assess the bill for consideration of a key vote. A vote on this conference report is scheduled for next week. A vote on this bill will be included in the Club’s 2011 Congressional Scorecard.

This housing rider would reinstate the recently expired conforming loan limit to $729,750, an increase from the previous limit of $625,500.

By increasing the limit, the government increases the risk that taxpayers will end up on the hook for non-performing loans. Government housing subsidies greatly contributed to the 2008 housing crisis. We should not make that mistake again expecting a different result. A better approach would be to end the subsidies completely to avoid future bailouts and market distortions.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15642

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KEY VOTE ALERT
"YES" ON THE COLOMBIA, PANAMA, AND KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

The Club for Growth urges all members of Congress to vote “YES” on the Free Trade Agreements with Colombia (H.R. 3078), Panama (H.R. 3079), and Korea (H.R. 3080). We expect the house to begin to consider the trade agreements as soon as today. A vote on each Free Trade Agreement will be included in the Club’s 2011 Congressional Scorecard.

Widening the circle of people with whom we transact - including across political borders - brings benefits to consumers in the form of lower prices, greater variety, and better quality, and it allows companies to reap the benefits of innovation, specialization, and economies of scale that larger markets bring. Trade freedom is essential to prosperity, and expanding free markets as much as possible enhances that prosperity.

The Club for Growth has long supported expanding trade freedom, which passage of each individual Free Trade Agreement will do. Positive points will be given for voting in favor of each individual FTA.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public. Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15591

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Member Comments (1)

The Club for Growth strongly opposes the most recent version of the Budget Control Act of 2011 that was negotiated by the White House and congressional leaders. We expect a vote on this proposal will take place in both chambers as early as today. This vote will be included in the Club for Growth's 2011 Congressional Scorecard.

The problems with this proposal are many, but fiscal conservatives should have obvious concerns for the lack of guaranteed future spending cuts, no requirement that a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution be sent to the states, a commission that could still recommend job-killing tax increases, and worse of all, two debt limit increases totaling over $2 trillion within only a matter of months.

As we’ve said before regarding previous underwhelming debt ceiling bills, this simply doesn't fix the country's fiscal problems. We strongly oppose it and we urge a NO vote.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15462

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Member Comments (2)

The Club for Growth strongly supports the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act and urges all members of Congress to support it (S. 1340/H.R. 2560). The Club also strongly opposes the McConnell-Reid sellout plan that purportedly gives the Executive Branch the authority to raise the debt limit. Both of these votes will be included in the Club for Growth's 2011 Congressional Scorecard.

The Cut Cap and Balance Act contains the best budget reforms to solve our country's fiscal situation. It makes real and immediate spending cuts, it places a hard cap on spending over the next few years, and it makes the debt ceiling increase contingent on Congress passing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.

Conversely, the McConnell-Reid plan, as public reports have revealed, is completely devoid of fiscally conservative principles. Congress abdicating its responsibilities by giving the President the authority to raise the debt ceiling is a non-starter. The plan also lacks structural budget reforms that are necessary to solve our fiscal crisis.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.

Permalink: http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=15371

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Member Comments (7)