CD089: Secrets of the CRomnibus (2015 Budget)

In this episode, we look at the riders added to the must-sign 2015 budget, including favors for Wall Street, unions, agribusiness, the oil and gas industry, electric utilities, the vending machine industry, telecoms, the trucking industry, the insurance industry, and the politicians themselves. Please Support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Article: by David Dayen. The Fiscal Times. December 2014. Article: by Russ Choma, OpenSecrets Blog, December 2014. Agriculture & FDA : Defunds an that evaluates the effectiveness of food safety inspection processes. : Prohibits funding from being used to inspect livestock slaughterhouses from animals who will be eaten and . : States can exempt schools from the requirement to provide whole grains to students in school lunches. : No money can be used to implement a law that would require a sodium reduction in school lunches. Commerce, Justice, & Science : The Department of Justice can't pay for an abortion unless the mother's life is in danger or unless she was raped. The bill acknowledges that this might be unconstitutional and if so, this provision will be "null and void". : Money can't be used for propaganda that is not authorized by Congress. : No money can be used to seek the removal of another country's tobacco marketing restrictions, "except for restrictions which are not applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco products of the same type". Article: , Krista Hughes, Reuters, October 21, 2014. : "None of the funds made available in this Act shall be used in any whatsoever to support or justify the use of torture by any official or contract employee of the United States Government." : Fully automatic weapons if they are to be used by the US Federal Government or the government of Canada. : Prohibits new trade agreements from including language that , language that , and language that . : No money can be used to transfer Khalid Sheikh Mohammaed or any other detainee from Guantanamo Bay prison to another location in the United States. : The government should purchase Energy Star light bulbs to the extent practicable. : Prohibits government employees from denying or ignoring a permit to import shotguns. : Prevents the Department of Justice from using it's money to prevent States from implementing their medical marijuana laws. TITLE VI- Travel Promotion Enhancement and Modernization Act Passed the House in July 2014 and was discussed on . Changes the board of directors of – a non-profit organization that advertises U.S. tourism – from being made up of to one , with five seats reserved for people with ties to multinational corporations. It eliminates the seat for the specialist in intercity passenger rail. for the government to spend $100 million per year on Brand USA through 2020. – a $10 fee charged to people who get a visa to travel into the United States – until 2020. Defense Coming Soon Energy & Water : Federal funding can't be used to enforce the mitigation regulations known as the "Modified Charleston Method." The Modified Charleston Method was implemented in May 2011 and is a formula for calculating how much wetlands need to be protected for each acre of private development. This method protects more wetlands than are protected when it is not used, generally requiring 3 acres of wetland conservation for every acre destroyed. InfoPacket: One of the is a Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline. . Article: , and St. Tammany Officials Get Worried by Christine Harvey. The Times-Picayune. March 2012. Amendment added by Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana Press Release: , December 2014. The vast majority of Rep. Steve Scalise's campaign funds come from PACs - 71% - but his #1 listed contributing industry is Oil and Gas; he's taken : Prohibits changes to the regulatory definition of "fill material" or "discharge of fill material". In 2002, the Bush administration changed the definition of "fill material" which can be dumped into waterways with a permit, . This was . He has taken and $137,000 from mining. : Prohibits the government from requiring a permit into waterways. : Deletes that limits the farming and ranching "fill material" that can be dumped without a permit. : The Department of Energy is not allowed to construct centrifuges for enriched uranium in 2015 and needs to do a cost-benefit analysis of options for suppling enriched uranium for war purposes and an "estimate to build a ". : Prohibits enforcement of . According to the Department of Energy, these standards will save $17.7 billion in energy costs over the next 30 years, as well as avoid 106 million metric tons of co2 emissions. , whose #5 contributing industry is Electric Utilities - -, although he get 69% of his money from PACs. He has added it to must-sign legislation every year since 2010. Financial Services : The Treasury Department may not redesign the $1 bill. Article: by Sarah Mimms. National Journal. January 2015. Article: . Associated Press. December 2006. Article: by Tina Kelley. New York Times. May 2008. : Prevents the Federal Communications Commission from implementing that would to allow payment for broadband lines per household instead of per line, which would effectively reduce the subsidy for the companies. FAQ: . : The text of , which was the bill that will allow banks to gamble with credit default swaps on the stock market with customers deposits in FDIC insured banks. Article: by Mayra Rodriguez Valldares. New York Times. May 2014. Article: by Michael Moore. Bloomberg. May 2014. , who took over from Securities and Investment bankers for the last election alone. Over the course of his four year career, he's taken almost from bankers... that we know of. : Prohibits funding for requirements that would make companies submitting offers for Federal contracts to disclose their political contributions. : Prohibits Washington DC from using its money to from legalize or reduce the penalties for a schedule I substance, which includes marijuana, for recreational use. Land Management & Environment The Department of the Interior : For the United States Geological Survey to surveys and research topography, geology, hydrology, biology, and the mineral and water resources of the United States... approx $1 billion, available until 9/30/2016. : $125 million minus fees collected, estimated real appropriation of $66 million for enforcing regulations for leases for oil and gas, other minerals, and energy on the Outer Continental Shelf over half of which needs to go towards expediting drilling permits on the Outer Continental Shelf. Collection and disbursement of royalties, fees, and other mineral revenue will get . Wildland fire management: . Hazardous fuels management and resilient landscapes activities can be privatized. This money can be used by the Secretary of State outside the United States. This money incurred for fires in previous years. This money to deal with earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, storms, oil spills, and to control cricket outbreaks. : Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from protecting the Sage-Grouse under the Endangered Species Act. by Sandra Fish, AlJazeera America, December 2013. Environmental Protection Agency Over for fire suppression. averaged $1.46 billion a year since 2000, a time period that since records began in 1880. : Allows Alaska red and yellow cedar to be exported to foreign countries. Press Release: by the Center for Biological Diversity, June 2014. Article: by Maria La Ganga, Los Angeles Times, November 2014. Article: by Katie Mortiz, Juneau Empire, October 2014. Article: by Michael Wines, New York Times, September 2014. Article: by Krista Langlois, High Country News, January 2015. Article: by : No money can be used to regulate carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor or methane emitted from livestock production. : No money can be used to require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. Amendments identical to Sections 419 and 420 by Rep. Ken Calvert of Southern California. He has taken . : No money can be used to regulate the lead content of ammunition or fishing tackle. Labor, Health, & Education Health and Human Services : Prohibits funding of gun control promotions. : The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) can privatize research into drugs for 10 years. Op-Ed: of by former Rep. Mike Rogers, The Hill, October 2014. Department of Education : No money can be used for transporting children to other school districts to "carry out a plan of racial desegregation of any school or school system." : No money can be used to prevent voluntary prayer in public schools. Department of Labor : The National Labor Relations Board can't use their money to provide employees with electronic voting for electing representatives for their collective bargaining. All Departments : The Departments of Health & Humans Services, Labor, and Education can't use their money to pay for health benefits coverage that includes abortion coverage. : Abortions can be paid for with Federal funds if the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest or if the mother's life is in danger. States will be allowed to cover abortion and abortion coverage can be offered separately. : No money can be used for research that harms a human embryo. : No money can be used for programs that distribute sterile needles to drug addicts. : No money can go towards ACORN, "or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, allied organizations, or successors." Article: , by David Weigel, Bloomberg, December 2014. Ebola money is available for use until September 30, 2019. for the Centers for Disease Control to "respond to Ebola domestically and internationally." $10 million for hospital worker and emergency first responder training. $597 million for global health security The money can be used to purchase and insure vehicles in foreign countries. : The CDC can use this money to "acquire, lease, construct, alter, renovate, equip, furnish, or manage facilities outside the United States." in "emergency" funding will go towards the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases" to "respond to Ebola domestically and internationally." for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to "respond to Ebola domestically and internationally" to develop and purchase vaccines, "necessary medical supplies, and administrative activities." Money can be used for the "renovation and alteration of privately owned facilities at the State and local level" Congress : No money can be used to deliver a printed copy of a bill to a Representative unless that Representative asked for it. : No more than 50 copies total of the US Code can be printed for the entire House of Representatives. : The Government Printing Office is renamed to the Government Publishing Office. Military Construction : Construction contracts with guaranteed profits will be allowed in Alaska and/or if the Defense Secretary says there's a reason for one in writing. : Military construction money can't be used to pay property taxes in foreign countries. : The military can't use this money for any new installations without notifying the House and Senate Appropriations Committees first. : Architect or engineer contracts over $500,000 in Japan, NATO countries, or countries bordering the Arabian Gulf must be awarded to US firms or be partnerships with US firms. : Money for military construction can be held & used up to four years after it is appropriated. : $125 million extra is appropriated until September 2018 for projects anywhere excepts in Europe. : No money can be used to prepare any United States facilities to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay prison. Veterans Veterans benefits will cost and medical expenses will cost , which is $153 billion total. The Veterans Integrated Service Networks are not allowed to change their system for contracting for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. Press Release: , PR Newswire, November 2013. "Sysmex America now holds Veterans Administration hematology contracts and standardization agreements with 16 of the 21 VISNs." "The VA Schedules are type contracts awarded to pre-approved vendors." OpenSecrets: Hal Rogers, chairman of the Appropriations Committee , which in 2012 which allows Roche to distribute Sysmex hemotology products . State Department & Foreign Operations for Worldwide Security protection for the State Department, which has . Article: by Spencer Ackerman, Wired, October 2010. Approximately will go towards the United Nations, including U.N. "peacekeeping missions". Over plus in "global health programs" funds will go to USAID. will go towards combatting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. will go towards "development assistance", which : Agribusiness Setting up financial institutions "Policy and regulatory programs" that "improve the environment" for financial institutions. Marketing Energy and storage facilities Infrastructure Schools spreading "ideas and practices of the United States, including new education material and curricula "To expedite the location, exploration, and development of potential sources of energy in developing countries" for the "Economic Support Fund", which : Promoting "economic or political stability" Legal education training Academic training for law enforcement (the military is prohibited from participating) Prison programs "Legal reform" and "revision and modernization of legal codes and procedures" Can be used for and this money won't count towards laws limiting assistance to countries. This money can be used to create for Egypt or Tunisia, which are . This money "shall be available for economic programs and may not be used for military or paramilitary purposes." for the War on Drugs authorization for the "use of herbicides for aerial eradication". Tells the State Department to report on the cost of "establishing an aviation platform in Africa" which . for "Peacekeeping Operations" to "enhance the capacity of foreign civilian security forces" including military forces in charge of policing civilians (). for "International Military Education and Training." for the "Foreign Military Financing Program The money can be used "to procure defense articles and services to enhance the capacity of foreign security forces" Over $3 billion must be grants to Israel can be put in an interest bearing account at the NY Federal Reserve for Egypt, and the money can be used for weapons as long as Egypt meets a list of demands (including giving detainees access to due process of law). Article: by Julian Pecquet. Al Monitor. December 10, 2014. will be for Jordan. This money can be . This money can be used for : The State Department can construction "diplomatic facilities" that include office space or "other accommodations" for the US Marine Corps. The Congressional report on where these facilities are and their costs . Congress doesn't need to be notified of new diplomatic facilities if there is a . : Money can't be used to directly assist any government whose elected government is removed by the military. However, we can give that country money again as long as the next government is elected. : Prohibits money being used for "tear gas, small arms, light weapons, ammunition, or other items for crowd control purposes for foreign security forces that use excessive force to repress peaceful expression." : We will give $150 million to Egypt as long as Egypt is taking steps to . : The State Department can use its money to create a new government and "promote economic development" in Syria. : State Department funds are going towards training and equipping Ethiopian military and police. : State Department funds will also towards training militaries in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d"Ivoire, Guinea, and Zimbabwe. : State Department money will go towards managing natural resources and supporting security forces in South Sudan. : State Department money will be used for naval forces, coast guards and nongovernmental organizations "directly engaged in maritime security issues" in Asia. : State Department money will go towards the Philippine army. : State Department money will be given to the military of Vietnam and for health/disability activities in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and/or contaminated with dioxin. : The State Department can construct and renovated US government facilities to accommodate Federal employees or contractors or expand aviation facilities in Afghanistan if it would "protect such facilities or the security, health, and welfare of United States personnel." Money for Afghanistan can go towards "programs in Central and South Asia relating to a transition in Afghanistan, including expanding Afghanistan linkages within the region." : Money can go towards military training in Sri Lanka. : State Department funds can be used to "support a unified campaign against narcotics trafficking" in Columbia. 10% of the funds will go towards "aerial drug eradication programs". : State Department funds can be given to the Guatemalan army. : State Department funds can be given to the Honduran army and police. : State Department funds can be given to the Mexican army and police. : $100 million for the , which is under the control of the Defense Department, to buy weapons and defense services for foreign countries. : The United States will contribute over $3.8 billion to the , a branch of the World Bank that provides loans and grants to "boost economic growth" in poor countries. It's our 17th contribution. Over will be for State Department security. Over for the War on Terror. for Ebola "assistance for countries affected by, or at risk of being affected by, the Ebola virus disease outbreak." Transportation for national transportation infrastructure, including highway, bridge, rail, port, and public transportations projects. : For the Federal Aviation Administration. $8.6 billion is from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund so the taxpayer subsidy for air travel is $1.1 billion. for the highway trust fund. : Prohibits enforcement of until September 30, 2015. The regulations delayed say: Commercial drivers must not work for 34 consecutive hours between weeks and that 34 hours must include two periods from 1am to 5am. Commercial drivers must not drive more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days. Truckers will be able to drive for . Article: by Lydia DePillis. Washington Post. December 2014. Article: . Trucking Info. October 2014. OpenSecrets: Senator Susan Collins of Maine inserted the rider on behalf of the trucking industry. for the 2014 election. The trucking industry also gave , the new Majority Leader in the Senate. for Amtrak operations. for Amtrak investments and improvements. Housing Forbids funding for a program that reduces mortgage rates for first time home buyers who go through "It is the sense of Congress that the Congress should not pass any legislation that authorizes spending cuts that would increase poverty in the United States." Homeland Security Funding for the Department of Homeland Security remains at the same levels as 2014. Funding runs out on February 27, 2015. Article: by Kelly Phillips, Forbes, December 2014. Expatriate Health Coverage This section includes the altered text of , which was discussed on Congressional Dish episode . expatriate health plans issued or renewed from the minimum standards set by the Affordable Care Act. includes people from foreign countries working in the United States as part of a job transfer. The effects of this on the PAYGO budget . The original version of this bill was written by Rep. John Carney of Delaware, who has taken . Campaign Contributions In May, as discussed on Congressional Dish episode , the President signed into law the , which . : Creates for political parties, the amount of money an individual can contribute to each of these new funds, and on how the parties can spend the money. We don't know exactly how much individuals will be able to contribute to political parties now that this provision is law. has a different number than the , which has a different number than . Congressional Dish calculations indicate that the changes will allow an individual to contribute at least $257,400 per year and that amount based on the Consumer Price Index. Pensions Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), pensions for retiree's who have already started to collect benefits unless a company goes into bankruptcy. This section changes the law to allow benefit cuts to multi-employer pension plans under other scenarios. : Allows a multi-employer pension plan to be labeled in five years before it's projected to actually meet critical status criteria, if the plan sponsor chooses to label it that way. : After certifying that a plan is in critical status, a "funding improvement plan" must be crafted, and benefits cannot be cut nor new people excluded during this time. : Allows the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to merge two or more multi-employer pension plans and allows the PBGC to give cash to the plans. : Multi-employer plans can be broken up if they've cut all the benefits allowed and need to do so to remain solvent. : Increases the premium rate for multi-employer plans from $12 to $26 in 2015 and then after that. : Allows , which means the plan is in critical status and projected to become insolvent within the . For plans with over 10,000 participants, - will advocate on behalf of all the retired participants. need to be met in order to suspend benefits: The plan needs to certify that it will avoid insolvency. The plan needs to certify that it will become insolvent if it doesn't cut benefits. Monthly benefits of what would be guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which is for participants in multi-employer plans. People from the benefit cuts. . will determine how much each participant's benefits would be cut. for employees that worked for companies that withdrew from the plan and failed to pay. Benefits the plan sponsor submits can application to the Secretary of the Treasury and notifies plan participants, employers, and employee organizations. The notice can be in electronic form. : The plan sponsor must to the Secretary of the Treasury for approval to suspend benefits. Within 30 days of receiving the application, the Secretary of the Treasury will from employers, employee organizations, and participants on the website of the Secretary of the Treasury. If the Secretary of the Treasury does not approve or deny the application within 225 days, the application will be . Within 30 days of the application's approval, on whether or not to cut benefits. Majority rules. If the participants vote not to cut benefits, the Secretary of Treasury can label the plan a and . Access to the courts is limited: A court reviewing a lawsuit challenging a benefit cut can the plaintiffs will probably win. A participant in a pension plan . OpenSecrets: has taken over $14 million in campaign contributions from all kinds of industries. OpenSecrets: Former took over $2.4 million from unions, that we know of. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) by (found on by mevio) by Be Heard Have something to say? 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