Sept. 12, 2017, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement praising the framework set forth by House appropriators for the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act for FY 2018:
“The House of Representatives is taking the correct approach by moving forward with legislation that encompasses the remaining appropriations bills for FY 2018. It is important that the House lay down its priorities and that limited government amendments and riders be formally incorporated, asserting its Article I power of the purse responsibilities under the Constitution.
“To that end, it is encouraging that the underlying bill already includes defunds of sanctuary cities, former President Obama’s HUD zoning power grab and the Waters of the USA rule regulating every puddle in America. It partially funds the southern border wall with $1.6 billion. Obviously, there is much more that can be done in the appropriations — for example defunding the new and existing coal power plant regulations, including the REINS Act as a policy rider and doing more to end the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s discretion under the Endangered Species Act — but this is a good start to the process, where specific policy victories appear within reach.
“That is, so long as the House bill becomes the minimum threshold of what must be included in the final bill. The approach must be to negotiate up, not down, from here, and we praise House appropriators for setting up a decent framework for moving forward. Once the dust is settled and the House passes a bill, it will be up to the Senate and White House to finish the job and achieve the promise of limiting the size and scope of government.”
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 100 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.
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