Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. K. Michael Conaway voted in support of the Conference Report on H.R. 2055, the Military Construction, Veteran Affairs, and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012. This bill provides $915 billion in funding for the nine remaining appropriations bills and is consistent with the overall $1.043 trillion level enacted by the Budget Control Act. After the vote, Rep. Conaway made the following comment:
“After weeks of tough negotiations with our colleagues in the Senate, we have finally reached a fair and bipartisan comprise that meets the budget goals laid out last summer,” said Rep. Conaway.
“This bill builds on the spending reductions begun at the start of this year and marks the second consecutive year that discretionary spending has fallen, a feat not accomplished since WWII. In addition, important policy riders were included in the text. Among several important provisions, the bill holds the line on taxpayer funding of abortions, defunds key parts of the President’s healthcare law, and overturns the looming ban on traditional light bulbs.
“Today’s bill is a compromise, make no mistake. Neither party got everything they wanted, but this legislation is a tangible step forward on the march towards fiscal sanity.”
Background
Key Policy in the FY12 Appropriations Bill
Obamacare:
· Rescinds $400 million from Obamacare CO-OPS
· Rescinds $10 million in funds for IPAB (rationing board)
· Reduces IRS funding by $305 million from FY11 levels, hampering enforcement of the Obamacare revenue provisions including the individual mandate.
· Increases CMS funding by $241 million to accommodate the 51% growth in beneficiaries over the last 10 years (due in part to the aging of the baby boomers)
· Rejects $400 million additional CMS increase contained in the Senate bill
· Tightens CDC restriction on using grant money to lobby (Prevention and Public Health “slush” Fund)
Values:
· Retains all current pro-life/”values” riders
· Reduces Title X funding by $2 million from FY11 levels
· Includes $5 million set aside for abstinence only education, added on top of the teenage pregnancy prevention program which was level funded at FY11 levels
· Reduces UNFPA by $5 million from FY11 levels
· NEW: Includes language that directs no international HIV/AIDS funds go towards needle exchange programs.
· NEW: Reinstates the outright ban on distributing sterile hypodermic needs/syringes that was in place prior to FY10-FY11.
Labor:
· Ergonomics: Prohibits the continued development of the musculoskeletal disorders reporting requirement, otherwise known as the ergonomics standard.
· NLRB: Reduces funding by $4 million compared to FY11 levels
o Electronic voting: Prohibits the NLRB from promulgating a proposed rule, which would institute electronic voting for union certification, preserving the integrity of the secret ballot.
Foreign Affairs:
· Full funding for Israel under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
· UN Reform: Conditions funds for the UN Human Rights Council and withholds 15% of funds for UN Agencies until audits are made fully available. Places conditions on aid to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Authority
o Palestinian Authority:
§ Maintains current law on prohibition of funding for UN agencies that admit Palestine as a member state
§ Requires termination of Palestinian Authority’s ESF funding if they obtain UN membership, permits Presidential waiver
§ Requires closure of the PLO office in Washington if Palestine obtains UN membership, permits Presidential waiver.
o Pakistan: Contains $850 million for Pakistan Counter Insurgency Fund, adds certification requirement on cooperation with counterterrorism effects and cooperation on visas, among other items, in order to receive funding (with a national security waiver).
o Egypt: Conditions aid to Egypt on permitting religious freedom, free and fair elections, and maintenance of Israel- Egypt Peace Treaty, among other items (with a national security waiver).
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