2017: Schweikert Voted For The GOP FY 2018 Budget Resolution, Which Started The Process Towards Tax Reform. In October 2017, Schweikert voted for a budget resolution that would have, according to The Hill, "The spending blueprint is key to Republicans' efforts to pass tax reform because it includes instructions that will allow the plan to avoid a Democratic filibuster. [...] The budget, meant to outline spending for the fiscal year, was widely viewed as a mere vehicle for passing tax reform. [...] The budget would allow the Senate GOP's tax plan to add up to $1.5 trillion to the deficit over a decade, a proposal that has raised concerns with fiscal hawks in the GOP. Its instructions call for the Senate Finance Committee to report a tax bill by Nov. 13. Still, the document outlines the Senate GOP's political vision. It maintains spending at 2017 levels for the year, but would then cut nondefense spending in subsequent years, leading to a $106 billion cut in 2027. It would also allow defense levels to continue rising at their current rates, reaching $684 billion at the end of a decade. The resolution also proposes $473 billion in cuts to Medicare's baseline spending over a decade and about $1 trillion from Medicaid, though those provisions are not enforceable without additional legislation." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby agreeing to the budget by a vote of 216 to 212. [House Vote 589, 10/26/17; The Hill, 10/19/17; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 71]
2018: Schweikert Voted Against A February 2018 Two-Year Budget Deal Which, Among Other Things, Increased Spending By $300 Billion, Suspended The Debt Ceiling, Reauthorized Community Health Centers For Two Years And Extended Numerous Tax Breaks. In February 2018, Schweikert voted against a two-year budget deal that re-opened the government after a brief shutdown. According to the New York Times, "With Mr. Trump's signature, the government will reopen before many Americans were aware it had closed, with a deal that includes about $300 billion in additional funds over two years for military and nonmilitary programs, almost $90 billion in disaster relief in response to last year's hurricanes and wildfires, and a higher statutory debt ceiling." In addition, according to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation "would provide funding for federal government operations and services at current levels through March 23, 2018 [...] [and] retroactively extends numerous tax breaks that expired at the end of 2016. It also extends the CHIP program for another four years (through FY 2027) and funds community health centers for another two years." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the bill. The House agreed to the motion, essentially on passage, by a vote of 240 to 186. The bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 69, 2/9/18; New York Times, 2/8/18; Congressional Quarterly, 2/9/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1892]
2018: Schweikert Voted Against A February 2018 Two-Year Budget Deal Which, Among Other Things, Increased Spending By $300 Billion, Suspended The Debt Ceiling And Provided $90 Billion In Disaster Relief For The 2017 Hurricanes And Wildfires. In February 2018, Schweikert voted against a two-year budget deal that re-opened the government after a brief shutdown. According to the New York Times, "With Mr. Trump's signature, the government will reopen before many Americans were aware it had closed, with a deal that includes about $300 billion in additional funds over two years for military and nonmilitary programs, almost $90 billion in disaster relief in response to last year's hurricanes and wildfires, and a higher statutory debt ceiling." In addition, according to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation "would provide funding for federal government operations and services at current levels through March 23, 2018 [...] [and] retroactively extends numerous tax breaks that expired at the end of 2016. It also extends the CHIP program for another four years (through FY 2027) and funds community health centers for another two years." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the bill. The House agreed to the motion, essentially on passage, by a vote of 240 to 186. The bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 69, 2/9/18; New York Times, 2/8/18; Congressional Quarterly, 2/9/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1892]
2017: Schweikert Voted Against Trump's Emergency Harvey Relief, Debt Ceiling And CR Deal With The Democrats Which Suspended The Debt Ceiling For Three Months. In September 2017, Schweikert voted against legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "ma[d]e available $15.25 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 to partially cover the costs of responding to multiple natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. The amendment would [have] suspend[ed] the public debt limit from the bill's date of enactment until Dec. 8, 2017, and would [have] provide[d] for government operations to be funded at fiscal 2017 levels until Dec. 8." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 316 to 90. The Senate earlier had agreed to the legislation and President Trump then signed the legislation into the law. [House Vote 480, 9/8/17; Congressional Quarterly, 9/7/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 601]
2017: Schweikert Voted For A Continuing Resolution Through January 19, 2018, Waiving PayGo For Tax Reform And A Temporary Patch Of CHIP Through March 31, 2018. In December 2017, Schweikert voted for legislation that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide funding for federal government operations and services at current levels through Jan. 19, 2018. The bill, as amended, would authorize $2.1 billion for the Veterans Choice Program, $2.9 billion in mandatory funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program and $550 million in funding to Community Health Centers through Mar. 31. The bill would exempt funding provided to the Children's Health Insurance Fund and other health programs, as well as the tax overhaul package, from statutory pay-as-you-go requirements. It would provide $4.7 billion in emergency supplemental funds for missile defense and Navy ship repairs. It would also extend authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through Jan. 19, including FISA Section 702, which allows U.S. intelligence agencies to obtain data from electronic service providers or non-U.S. persons who reside outside the U.S." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment with an amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 231 to 188. The Senate later agreed to the bill and President Trump later signed the bill into law. [House Vote 708, 12/21/17; Congressional Quarterly, 12/21/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1370]
Bill Temporary Extended FISA Through April, 2018. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill extends through Jan. 19, 2018, authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which includes FISA Section 702. Section 702 allows U.S. intelligence agencies to obtain data from electronic service providers on non-U.S. persons who reside outside the United States, including email, chat, photos, videos, stored data and file transfers. It also allows the NSA to perform 'upstream collection' of data that cites or mentions potential intelligence targets. Current FISA authorities were extended in 2012 for five years by the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act (PL 112-238) and are due to expire Dec. 31, 2017 (although many experts believe the government could continue to carry out surveillance until April 2018)." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/20/17]
Legislation Extended CHIP Through April, 2018. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill appropriates $2.9 billion in mandatory funding for one semi-annual allotment for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covering the first two quarters of FY 2018 --- i.e., through March 31, 2018." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/20/17]
Bill Waived PayGo Cuts From This Bill And The 2017 Trump Tax Reform Bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill exempts from statutory pay-as-you-go requirements the bill's funding for CHIP and other health programs, as well as the reconciliation tax cut bill that was just cleared by Congress. It also delays any possible automatic sequestration in January of discretionary spending in order to give Congress more time to reach agreement on revised discretionary spending caps for FY 2018." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/20/17]
2017: Schweikert Voted For A Two-Week CR Through December 22nd, 2017 And For Allowing CHIP To Distribute Money To Keep The Program Solvent Through The End Of 2017. In December 2017, Schweikert voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] funding for federal government operations and services at current levels through Dec. 22, 2017, at an annualized rate of $1.23 trillion for federal departments and agencies covered by the 12 unfinished fiscal 2018 spending bills, of which an annualized rate of $621.5 billion would be designated for defense and an annualized rate of $511 billion for nondefense discretionary spending. The bill would [have] allow[ed] state Children's Health and Insurance Programs to receive extra redistribution funds beyond what is currently allowed, supporting the program's operations through the end of December." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 235 to 193. The Senate later passed the bill and President Trump signed it into law. [House Vote 670, 12/7/17; Congressional Quarterly, 12/7/17; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 123]
2018: Schweikert Voted Against A February 2018 Two-Year Budget Deal Which Funded The Government Through March 23rd, Among Other Things, Increased Spending By $300 Billion, Suspended The Debt Ceiling, Extended CHIP's Authorization For Four More Years And Extended Numerous Tax Breaks Through March 23rd, Among Other Things, Increased Spending By $300 Billion, Suspended The Debt Ceiling, Extended CHIP's Authorization For Four More Years And Extended Numerous Tax Breaks. In February 2018, Schweikert voted against a two-year budget deal that re-opened the government after a brief shutdown. According to the New York Times, "With Mr. Trump's signature, the government will reopen before many Americans were aware it had closed, with a deal that includes about $300 billion in additional funds over two years for military and nonmilitary programs, almost $90 billion in disaster relief in response to last year's hurricanes and wildfires, and a higher statutory debt ceiling." In addition, according to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation "would provide funding for federal government operations and services at current levels through March 23, 2018 [...] [and] retroactively extends numerous tax breaks that expired at the end of 2016. It also extends the CHIP program for another four years (through FY 2027) and funds community health centers for another two years." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the bill. The House agreed to the motion, essentially on passage, by a vote of 240 to 186. The bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 69, 2/9/18; New York Times, 2/8/18; Congressional Quarterly, 2/9/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1892]
2017: Schweikert Voted For An FY 18 'Minibus' Appropriations Bill That Included The Defense Spending, Energy And Water, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs And Legislative Funding. In July 2017, Schweikert voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $788 billion in discretionary funding for fiscal 2018 to various departments, agencies and legislative operations, including $658.1 billion in funding for Defense programs; $88.8 billion in net appropriations subject to discretionary caps for fiscal 2018 that would provide funding for military construction activities and for VA programs and activities; $37.6 billion in net appropriations subject to discretionary caps for fiscal 2018 that would provide funding for the Energy Department, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and related agencies; and $3.6 billion in funding fiscal 2018 for operations of the House of Representatives, joint House-Senate items and legislative branch entities such as the Library of Congress, the Capitol Police, and the Government Accountability Office. The bill would [have] provide[d] $1.6 billion in funding to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for procurement, construction and improvement of a barrier along the southern U.S. border." The vote was on the bill. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 235 to 192. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 435, 7/27/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/27/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3219]
2017: Schweikert Voted For The House GOP FY 2018 Budget Resolution, Which Started The Process Towards Tax Reform And Called For Ending Medicare As We Know It. In October 2017, Schweikert voted for the House GOP FY 2018 budget resolution. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Adoption of the concurrent resolution that would provide for $3.2 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2018, not including off-budget accounts. It would assume $1.22 trillion in discretionary spending in fiscal 2018. It would assume the repeal of the 2010 health care overhaul law. It also would propose reducing spending on mandatory programs such as Medicare and Medicaid and changing programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as food stamps). It would call for restructuring Medicare into a 'premium support' system beginning in 2024. I would also require the House Ways and Means Committee to report out legislation under the budget reconciliation process that would provide for a revenue-neutral, comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. tax code and would include instructions to 11 House committees to trigger the budget reconciliation process to cut mandatory spending. The concurrent resolution would assume that, over 10 years, base (non-Overseas Contingency Operations) discretionary defense spending would be increased by a total of $929 billion over the Budget Control Act caps and non-defense spending be reduced by $1.3 trillion." The vote was on passage. The House passed the budget resolution by a vote of 219 to 206. A modified version was later agreed to by both the House and the Senate. [House Vote 557, 10/5/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/5/17; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 71]
2018: Schweikert Voted For An FY 2018 Continuing Resolution Funding The Government Through February 8, Ending the Government Shutdown. In January 2018, Schweikert voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] funding for federal government operations and services at current levels through Feb. 8, 2018. The measure would [have] fund[ed] the state Children's Health and Insurance Programs at $21.5 billion annually starting in fiscal 2018 and would gradually increase the funding annually through fiscal 2023." In addition, also according to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill also suspends or delays for one or two years three health-related taxes that were enacted as part of the 2010 health care overhaul to help finance the law --- the medical device tax, the tax on high-value employer-sponsored health insurance plans (the so-called 'Cadillac' tax), and annual fees on health insurance companies." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 266 to 150. The Senate had already agreed to the version of the bill. President Trump later signed it into law. [House Vote 44, 1/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 1/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 1/22/18; CBS, 1/23/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 195]
2018: Schweikert Voted For An FY 2018 Continuing Resolution Funding The Government Through February 16, But Did Not Offer Any Fixes For DACA Recipients. In January 2018, Schweikert voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] funding for federal government operations and services at current levels through Feb. 16, 2018, at an annualized rate of $1.23 trillion for federal departments and agencies covered by the 12 unfinished fiscal 2018 spending bills, of which an annualized rate of $621.5 billion would be designated for defense and an annualized rate of $511 billion for nondefense discretionary spending. The measure would [have] fund[ed] the state Children's Health and Insurance Programs at $21.5 billion annually starting in fiscal 2018 and would gradually increase the funding annually through fiscal 2023." In addition, also according to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill suspends or delays three health-related taxes that were enacted as part of the 2010 health care overhaul to help finance the law --- the medical device tax, the tax on high-value employer-sponsored health insurance plans (the so-called 'Cadillac' tax), and annual fees on health insurance companies." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 230 to 197. The Senate later blocked the bill, shutting down the government for three days. A revised version of the legislation, funding the government through February 8th was later signed into law. [House Vote 33, 1/18/18; Congressional Quarterly, 1/18/18; Congressional Quarterly, 1/17/18; Congressional Quarterly, 1/22/18; CBS, 1/23/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 195]
The Senate Did Not Agree To The Legislation, Shutting Down the Government. According to Congressional Quarterly, "A partial government shutdown began just after midnight Saturday, after the Senate could not muster the 60 votes necessary to bring debate to a close on the four-week CR, which the House passed on Thursday." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/19/18]
Democrats Wanted A Deal That Protected DACA Recipients. According to NPR, "While many Senate Democrats had remained entrenched in their opposition to any funding deal that didn't include a DACA fix, a growing number of moderate lawmakers were wary of an extended shutdown fight." [NPR, 1/22/18]
2018: Schweikert Voted Against The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017 Levels. In March 2018, Schweikert voted against the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Combined, the spending measures would provide about $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels are consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps set by the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce overall discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level." The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167. The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 127, 3/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1625]
Omnibus Increased Defense Spending By $80 Billion And In Domestic Spending By $63 Billion. According to the Washington Post, "Under that agreement, defense spending generally favored by Republicans is set to jump $80 billion over previously authorized spending levels, while domestic spending favored by Democrats rises by $63 billion. The defense funding includes a 2.4 percent pay raise for military personnel and $144 billion for Pentagon hardware. The domestic spending is scattered across the rest of the federal government, but lawmakers are highlighting increases in funding for infrastructure, medical research, veterans programs and efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. Civilian federal employees get a 1.9 percent pay raise, breaking parity with the military for the first time in several years." [Washington Post, 3/22/18]
Legislation Did Not Defund So-Called "Sanctuary Cities." According to Vox, "The bill doesn't defund 'sanctuary cities' that attempt to protect unauthorized immigrant residents from federal immigration officials, despite Trump's last-minute push to defund the cities as part of the omnibus." [Vox, 2/23/18]
Legislation Provided $1.6 Billion In Border Security Fencing, But Not For The Wall. According to the Washington Post, "The bill provides $1.6 billion for barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border but with serious strings attached. Of the total, $251 million is earmarked specifically for 'secondary fencing' near San Diego, where fencing is already in place; $445 million is for no more than 25 miles of 'levee fencing'; $196 million is for 'primary pedestrian fencing' in the Rio Grande Valley; $445 million is for the replacement of existing fencing in that area; and the rest is for planning, design and technology --- not for wall construction. The biggest catch is this: The barriers authorized to be built under the act must be 'operationally effective designs' already deployed as of last March, meaning none of President Trump's big, beautiful wall prototypes can be built." [Washington Post, 3/22/18]
The Omnibus Spending Bill Did Nothing To Target Planned Parenthood. According to Vox, "On Wednesday night, congressional leaders unveiled the 'omni': a massive 2,232-page, $1.3 trillion spending bill covering everything from defense to border security to opioids. In Congress, a spending bill spanning multiple budget areas is known as an 'omnibus.' On Thursday, the House and Senate passed the bill. [...] Nor does the bill do anything to target Planned Parenthood, a common target of Republican ire." [Vox, 3/23/18]
Legislation Did Not Address DACA. According to Vox, "While Democratic leaders have appeared willing to accept an omnibus that doesn't revive the DACA program, other Democratic members of Congress have suggested they'd oppose any funding bill that doesn't protect DACA. The House and Senate-passed does nothing on DACA. Trump, who has offered to provide permanent protection for DACA recipients in exchange for draconian cuts to legal immigration, appeared to be frustrated that such a deal hasn't made it into the omnibus." [Vox, 3/23/18]
2017: Schweikert Voted Against The FY 2018 Congressional Progressive Caucus's Budget Resolution, Which Among Other Things, Increased Taxes On The Rich And Corporations And Called For Creating A Public Option In The ACA's Marketplace. In October 2017, Schweikert voted against an FY 2018 CPC budget resolution. According to Congressional Quarterly, the resolution would "provide for $3.8 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2018, not including off-budget accounts. It would raise overall spending by $3.5 trillion over 10 years and would increase revenues by $8.2 trillion over the same period through policies that would increase taxes for corporations and high-income individuals. It would repeal the Budget Control Act sequester and caps on discretionary spending, would modify the tax code by adding five higher marginal tax rates, would create a public insurance option to be sold within the current health insurance exchanges and would call for implementation of comprehensive immigration overhaul." The amendment was a substitute amendment for the GOP's FY 2018 budget resolution in part designed to start the process for tax reform. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 108 to 314. [House Vote 553, 10/4/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/4/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 453; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 71]
2018: Schweikert Voted For A Recession Spending Package That Cancelled $14.8 Billon In Approved Spending, Including $7 Billion In CHIP Funding And $4.3 Billion In Funding From The Energy Department's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. In June 2018, Schweikert voted for a recession package. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of the bill that would cancel approximately $14.8 billion in previously approved spending, including reductions in budget authority for mandatory programs. It would rescind allocated funding across various departments and programs, including $7 billion from the Children's Health Insurance Program, $4.3 billion from the Energy Department's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, $683 million from Innovative Technology Loan Guarantees, and $800 million in mandatory funding from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. It would not rescind any of the funding provided by the fiscal 2018 omnibus appropriations measure." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 210 to 206. The Senate later rejected the bill. [House Vote 243, 6/7/18; Congressional Quarterly, 6/7/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3]
2017: Schweikert Voted For The FY 2018 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. In October 2017, Schweikert voted for a budget resolution that would in part, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide for $2.9 trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2018. It would balance the budget by fiscal 2023 by reducing spending by $10.1 trillion over 10 years. It would cap total discretionary spending at $1.06 trillion for fiscal 2018 and would assume no separate Overseas Contingency Operations funding for fiscal 2018 or subsequent years and would incorporate funding related to war or terror into the base defense account. It would assume repeal of the 2010 health care overhaul and would convert Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program into a single block grant program. It would require that off budget programs, such as Social Security, the U.S. Postal Service, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, be included in the budget." The underlying legislation was an FY 2018 House GOP budget resolution. The House rejected the RSC budget by a vote of 139 to 281. [House Vote 555, 10/5/17; Congressional Quarterly, 10/5/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 455; Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res. 71]
2017: Schweikert Voted Against Trump's Emergency Harvey Relief, Debt Ceiling And CR Deal With The Democrats Which Funded The Government Via A Continuing Resolution Through December 8th. In September 2017, Schweikert voted against legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "ma[d]e available $15.25 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 to partially cover the costs of responding to multiple natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. The amendment would [have] suspend[ed] the public debt limit from the bill's date of enactment until Dec. 8, 2017, and would [have] provide[d] for government operations to be funded at fiscal 2017 levels until Dec. 8." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 316 to 90. The Senate earlier had agreed to the legislation and President Trump then signed the legislation into the law. [House Vote 480, 9/8/17; Congressional Quarterly, 9/7/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 601]
2017: Schweikert Voted For The House GOP's FY 2018 Omnibus That Included Funding For Trump's Wall. In September 2017, Schweikert voted for an FY 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill that. According to The Hill, "The House on Thursday completed its work on the annual appropriations bills for 2018, ahead of expected negotiations at the end of this year to keep the government funded. By a vote of 211-198, the House passed a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills to fund wide swaths of the federal government, ranging from the Department of Homeland Security to the Environmental Protection Agency. [...] The package included eight new bills, plus four previously passed appropriations bills that advanced through the House in July. Regular order for appropriations typically involved passing each of the bills individually, not in groups of 4 or 8. [...] Together, the bills appropriate $621.5 billion for defense spending and $511 billion for nondefense discretionary spending. It also devotes another $87 billion in Overseas Contingency Operation (OCO) funding, which does not count toward budget cuts. Of that, $75 billion went to defense, $12 billion to nondefense." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 211 to 198. The Senate took no substantive action on the overall legislation. [House Vote 528, 9/14/17; The Hill, 9/14/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3354]