We’ve pulled together some of the most egregious provisions in the bill and put together this top 10 list. With the Senate planning to vote this evening, time is running out to educate senators about the pork projects, policy riders and budget gimmicks in the bill.
1. Non-emergency, Emergencies Drive Up Spending
More than $11 billion in emergency designated spending has been crammed into this bill, most of which does not qualify as sudden, unforeseen or urgent spending including. For example:
• $100 million in emergency funding for presidential security at political conventions
• $602 million for crop disaster assistance and livestock assistance, in spite of the fact that farmers had record incomes last year.
• $210 million for “salaries and expenses” across various departments
2. A Threat to Border Security
The bill places new restrictions that will delay and in some cases prevent construction of the full border fence. The bill removes specific locations included in the Secure Fence Act and adds extra layers of bureaucracy that will make building a border fence more difficult.
3. Restricts U.S. Energy Sources, Threatening Energy Security
The bill prohibits funding for oil shale commercial regulations which makes commercial production of the United States’ 2 trillion barrels of oil shale resources is impossible. By restricting the supply of domestic oil, this bill increases our dependence on other nations to meet our energy needs.
4. The House Version Does Not Fund the Troops in Iraq
The House provided $31.2 billion for the troops in Afghanistan, but nothing for the troops in Iraq. This ties the hands of Pentagon officials and generals in the field by restricting the battlegrounds where money can be spent and puts troops in harms way.
5. Loaded with Excessive Earmarks
More than 9,000 earmarks — including 300 of which were airdropped— totaling more than $23 billion have been added to the bill. For example:
• The Charles Rangel “Monument to Me” ($1.95 million)
• Rodent control in Alaska ($113,000)
• Olive fruit fly research in France ($213,000)
• Hunting and Fishing Museum in Pennsylvania ($200,000)
• Louis Armstrong Museum in New York ($150,000)
• A bike trail in Minnesota ($700,000)
• A river walk in Massachusetts ($1,000,000)
• A post office museum in downtown Las Vegas ($200,000); and
• The Lincoln Park Zoo in Illinois ($37,000)
6. Funds Corporate Welfare
Advanced Technology Program, was deauthorized by Congress earlier this year, was given $65 million. ATP provides research grants, and 35% of its funding goes to Fortune 500 companies including IMB, 3M, and General Electric.
7. Uses Budget Gimmicks to Obscure Spending
At least $10 billion in gimmicks, such as advanced appropriations and recessions, have been used that artificially lower the cost of the bill.
8. Nobody Has Had Time to Read It
The bill is more than 3,417 pages, which is three times the length of the Bible and nearly the same length as the Second Edition of Webster’s Dictionary. In less than 24 hours, the House passed the bill, but, clearly, no one could have had time to read it.
9. Misplaced Priorities
Funding for security projects such as Nuclear Weapons Modernization ($89 million requested) which helps modernize the nuclear weapons stockpile was cut in order to fund:
• $20 million increase for the National Endowment of the Arts
• $1.5 billion increase for state and foreign operations
• $3.7 million in non-competitive grants that were awarded to the AFL-CIO
• $16 million for a new House office building although the House already has four office building and the Capitol Visitors Center hasn’t been completed
10. Blows Budget Caps
With all the budget gimmicks, “emergency” spending, and other tricks, this bill exceeds the President’s top line by more than $24 billion. The appropriations bills the President threatened to veto were $22 billion above his top line — the omnibus has only made things worse!
