2018: Schweikert Voted For An FY 2019 Defense, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Appropriations Bill Which Also Included A Continuing Resolution For The Other Federal Spending Bills Through December 7, 2018. In September 2018, Schweikert voted for an FY 2019 appropriations bill and continuing resolution. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The agreement provides FY 2019 appropriations for two annual spending measures --- Defense and Labor-HHS-Education --- as well as a continuing resolution to keep all federal departments and agencies operating through Dec. 7 if they don't have full-year appropriations enacted. Together, the two spending bills provide a total of $784.5 billion in discretionary spending subject to budget caps, 63% of the $1.244 trillion limit for FY 2019. It provides $674.4 billion in net discretionary funding for the Defense Department ($19.8 billion more than FY 2018 but $1.1 billion less than requested), including $606.5 billion in base discretionary funding ($17.0 billion more than FY 2018) and $67.9 billion in OCO funding. For Labor-HHS-Education it provides $180 billion in discretionary spending, including $178.1 billion subject to budget caps and $1.9 billion in program integrity funding --- $977 million more than comparable FY 2018 funding and $10.7 billion more than requested." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 361 to 61. The president later signed the bill into law. [House Vote 405, 9/26/18; Congressional Quarterly, 9/25/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6157]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against An Omnibus Spending Proposal Preventing Another Government Shutdown. In February 2019, Schweikert voted against the FY 2019 consolidated appropriations bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "This Conference Summary describes the agreement on H J Res 31, Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2019, which provides detailed, full-year funding for all seven remaining FY 2019 spending bills ---thereby completing the FY 2019 appropriations process. The centerpiece, Homeland Security, provides $1.375 billion for new and replacement barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico, including 55 miles of new fencing, along with an increase of $1.5 billion in other border security funding --- such as for new technology at ports of entry and additional Customs officers. Outside of the Homeland bill, it includes another $1.6 billion for border security, as well as a 1.9% pay increase for federal civilian employees." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 300 to 128. The bill was later signed into law by the president. [House Vote 87, 2/14/19; Congressional Quarterly, 2/14/19; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 31]
The Government Had Been Shutdown For Weeks Over Border Wall Funding; This Bill Prevented Another. According to Politico, "Three weeks after the longest shutdown in U.S. history, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to fund roughly one-quarter of the federal government through Sept. 30, while providing only a fraction of the funds for a border barrier that Trump demanded." [Politico, 2/14/19]
President Trump Demanded $5.7 Billion For Wall Funding, But The Bill Only Provided $1.375 Billion For New And Replacement Barriers. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The centerpiece, Homeland Security, provides $1.375 billion for new and replacement barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico, including 55 miles of new fencing, along with an increase of $1.5 billion in other border security funding --- such as for new technology at ports of entry and additional Customs officers. Outside of the Homeland bill, it includes another $1.6 billion for border security, as well as a 1.9% pay increase for federal civilian employees. President Trump, who wanted $5.7 billion for 234 miles of new border 'wall,' has not yet decided whether he will sign the agreement, according to White House staff." [Congressional Quarterly, 2/14/19]
After Signing The Bill, Trump Signed An Emergency Declaration Bypassing Congress To Fund The Wall. According to the Washington Post, "President Trump on Friday declared the situation on the southern border of the United States to be a national emergency, catapulting the country into uncertain legal and political battles as he seeks to fulfill a campaign promise that eluded him for two years. He made the designation in an attempt to redirect taxpayer money from other accounts and use it to erect more than 230 miles of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. But Trump anticipates a flurry of legal challenges that will eventually be decided by the Supreme Court." [Washington Post, 2/15/19]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against Expressing The Sense Of The House That Government Shutdowns Cause Substantial Damage To Federal Employees, Americans Overall, The U.S. Economy, And That Shutting The Government Shutdown Is An Unacceptable Strategy. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a resolution that, according to Congressional Quarterly, "express[ed] the sense of the House of Representatives that government shutdowns cause substantial damage to federal employees, to Americans generally who benefit from government services, to the U.S. economy and to the nation's reputation and state that shutting down the U.S. government 'is not an acceptable tactic or strategy' for resolving policy differences." The vote was on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, which required 275 votes in this case to pass. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 249 to 163. [House Vote 65, 1/30/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/30/19; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 79]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against A CR That Would Have Extended DHS Funding Through The End Of February, 2019, Thus Re-Opening DHS; Bill Did Not Provide Funding For Trump's Wall. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against legislation that would have, according to The Hill, "The House on Thursday passed a Democratic-backed bill to provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Feb. 28. The bill passed in a 231-180 vote, with five Republicans joining Democrats in voting for the measure. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) was the lone Democrat to vote against it. The bill is not expected to see any movement in the upper chamber. The legislation --- introduced by House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman-designate Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) --- would provide no new funding for President Trump's proposed border wall. Democrats have brought up a series of clean funding bills in an attempt to place pressure on GOP lawmakers to break with the administration in their demand for funding for a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 231 to 180. [House Vote 51, 1/24/19; The Hill, 1/24/19; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 31]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against A Continuing Appropriations Bill For All But Homeland Security That Would End That Partial Government Shutdown. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $271.8 billion for full-year fiscal 2019 funding for six of the seven spending bills that reached a conference agreement, but that lack enacted appropriations (all except Homeland Security) and would [have] extend[ed] authorization for several expiring programs including the National Flood Insurance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families." The vote was on a passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 180. [House Vote 49, 1/23/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/23/19; Congressional Actions, H.R. 648]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against A Continuing Resolution That Ended The Partial Shutdown By Funding The Government Through February 28th, 2019. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, "ma[d]e further continuing appropriations for fiscal 2019 through Feb. 28, 2019." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 229 to 184. The bill was amended in the Senate and later signed by President Trump into law. [House Vote 46, 1/23/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/23/19; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 28]
The Stopgap Bill Funded The Federal Government For Three Weeks Without The Border Wall Funding That President Trump Was Demanding And Provided Temporary Relief To Federal Workers Who Had Not Been Paid During The 35-Day Government Shutdown. According to Congressional Quarterly, "President Donald Trump signed a stopgap spending bill without money he had demanded for a border wall Friday night, setting the stage to reopen government agencies that have been closed for 35 days. The continuing resolution (H J Res 28) would fund the government for three weeks while a House-Senate conference committee negotiates a border security package with the White House. It provides at least a temporary reprieve to federal workers who haven't been paid in nearly a month." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/25/19]
The Final Version Of The Stopgap Bill Funded The Government Through February 15, 2019. According to Congressional Quarterly, "'In a short while, I will sign a bill to reopen the government for three weeks, through Feb. 15,' Trump said in an afternoon appearance in the White House Rose Garden." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/25/19]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against A Bill That Extended Government Funding Via A CR Through February 8, 2019 And Provided $12.1 Billion In Supplemental Disaster Funds For Hurricanes, Wildfires, Earthquakes And Other Natural Disasters In 2017 And 2018. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a CR and disaster supplemental bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of the bill that would provide continuing appropriations for operations of the federal government at current funding levels through Feb. 8, 2019. Additionally, the bill provides $12.1 billion in supplemental disaster funds for response efforts to damage caused by hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other natural disasters that occurred in 2017 and 2018. The bill includes a total of $2.7 billion for Agriculture Department disaster-related activities, including $1.1 billion for crop (including milk), tree, bush, vine, and livestock losses from 2018 hurricanes, wildfires and other declared disasters. The bill provides $1.16 billion for the Housing and Urban Development Department's Community Development Block Grants-Disaster Recovery Program, and $1.7 billion for Transportation Department programs and activities, including $1.65 billion for the cost of federal highway and bridge repairs. It provides $1.46 billion to the Defense Department to repair military facilities damaged by hurricanes Florence and Michael, primarily for repairing damage to military facilities in the Carolinas and Florida. As amended, the bill would prohibit funds provided in the bill for the Army Corps of Engineers or the Homeland Security Department from being used to construct a 'new physical barrier' along the southwest border of the U.S. Also as amended, the bill would permit the use of emergency funds provided to the Agriculture Department for 2018 crop losses to be used to cover harvested wine grapes that were found to have been tainted by smoke from wildfires." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 237 to 187. [House Vote 39, 1/16/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/16/19; Congressional Actions, H.R. 268]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against Prohibiting The Army Corps Of Engineers Or DHS Funds From Being Used To Construct Trump's Wall. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provided by the bill for the Army Corps of Engineers or the Homeland Security Department from being used to construct a 'new physical barrier' along the southwest border of the U.S." The underlying bill was an FY 2019 disaster relief supplemental appropriations bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 230 to 197. The House later passed the underlying bill. [House Vote 37, 1/16/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/16/19; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 3; Congressional Actions, H.R. 268]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against A Continuing Resolution That Would Re-Open The Government Through February 1, 2019. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a bill that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "make further continuing appropriations for fiscal 2019 through Feb. 1, 2019." The vote was on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, requiring 283 votes for passage. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 237 to 187. [House Vote 31, 1/15/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/15/19; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 27]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against An FY 2019 Interior And The Environment Appropriations Bill That Would Have Ended A Portion Of The Partial Government Shutdown While Also Not Funding Trump's Wall. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $35.9 billion in fiscal 2019 for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies. The bill would [have] provide[d] $8.8 billion for the EPA, including $3.6 billion for state and tribal assistance grants and $1.1 billion for hazardous substance superfund activities; it would also [have] require[d] that $5.2 million of EPA funding be used to study algal blooms. The bill would [have] provide[d] $13.2 billion for the Interior Department, including $3.2 billion for the National Park Service, $1.3 billion for the Bureau of Land Management, $1.6 billion for the Fish and Wildlife Service, and $5.8 billion for the Indian Health Service. It would also [have] provide[d] $6.3 billion for the Forest Service, and provide a total of $4.3 billion for Forest Service and Interior Department wildfire activities." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 240 to 179. [House Vote 27, 1/11/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/10/19; Congressional Actions, H.R. 266]
Over ¾ Of Interior Department Staffers Have Been Furloughed, With Reported Significant Impacts At The National Parks. According to Congressional Quarterly, "For the Interior Department, 76% of its staff has been furloughed, which according to news reports has resulted in many national parks being left ungated and largely unsupervised, and museums and zoos closed --- including the National Gallery of Art, all 19 Smithsonian museums, and the National Zoo. And while the gates at many park sites remain open, few if any staff are on hand to protect visitors and park resources and many visitor centers and restrooms remained locked, while many roads closed due to weather can't be cleared." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
Joshua Tree National Park, For Example, Had Illegal Campsites Set Up And Trees Cut Down. According to CNN, "There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who take it upon themselves to go to understaffed national parks to keep them clean during the government shutdown, and then those who set up illegal campsites and cut down Joshua trees in the national park of the same name. Pictures shared by the National Park Service and the nonprofit news organization National Parks Traveler show a downed tree and illegal campsites in California's Joshua Tree National Park." [CNN, 1/12/19]
Legislation Appropriated $3.2 Billion For The National Park Service, $16 Million More Than FY 2018. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The measure provides $3.2 billion for the National Park Service --- $16 million (0.5%) more than FY 2018 and $517 million (19%) more than the request. The vast majority, $2.5 billion, is for operation and maintenance of national parks, $22 million (1%) more than FY 2018 and $75 million (3%) more than requested. Included in that amount is $825 million for facility operations and maintenance ($15 million more than FY 2018 and $43 million more than requested), and $548 million for park support ($12 million more than FY 2018 and $42 million more than requested)." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. "According to Democratic appropriators, the spending bills being considered this week are virtually identical to the versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote, except for 'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping changes' --- with the only substantial changes being that each bill now also includes provisions to retroactively pay federal workers who were furloughed during the partial shutdown." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against An FY 2019 Agriculture Appropriations Bill That Would Have Ended A Portion Of The Partial Government Shutdown While Also Not Funding Trump's Wall. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $145.4 billion in fiscal 2019 for the Agriculture Department and related agencies, including $23.2 billion in discretionary funding. The bill would [have] provide[d] $5.4 billion for the Food and Drug Administration, $3.8 billion for Agriculture Department rural development activities, and $2.7 billion for agricultural research programs. It would [have] reauthorize[d] the federal crop insurance program and authorize loan levels for federal loans related to farming and rural development. It would [have] provide[d] $102.6 billion for domestic food programs, including $73.2 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, $23.2 billion for child nutrition programs, and $6.2 billion for the Women, Infants, and Children program." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 243 to 183. [House Vote 25, 1/10/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/10/19; Congressional Actions, H.R. 265]
If The Government Shutdown Continues Past January, There Would Be Significant Delays In Admitting New SNAP Enrollees. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The most profound impact, however, may soon occur on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps) if the government fails to reopen by February. Although SNAP is automatically renewed, it requires annual funding through appropriations bills, and existing funding will run out at the end of January. And even if SNAP contingency funding remains available, that amount would cover less than two-thirds of the program's cost in February. In addition, individuals seeking to newly register for SNAP are seeing delays in accessing those benefits because 95% of the office that administers the program has been furloughed, and local grocery stores where SNAP benefits are spent are expected to experience a loss of revenue." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. According to Congressional Quarterly, "According to Democratic appropriators, the spending bills being considered this week are virtually identical to the versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote, except for 'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping changes' --- with the only substantial changes being that each bill now also includes provisions to retroactively pay federal workers who were furloughed during the partial shutdown." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
Legislation Provides $8 Billion In Overall Farm Loans, About $400 Million More Than Requested. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Farm Service Agency, using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, offers a variety of loans to farmers, including farm-operating, farm ownership, American Indian tribal land acquisition and boll weevil eradication loans. The bill provides for provides $85 million in upfront subsidies and grants to support an overall loan level of $8.0 billion, $400 million (5%) more than requested. The vast majority (44%) of the overall loan level for FY 2019 would go toward farm-operating loans, which help farmers pay for essential expenses such as the purchase of livestock, equipment and seed, and farm ownership loans that help farmers acquire, enlarge or develop their lands. Specifically, the measure sets a total loan level of $3.5 billion for farm-operating loans, including $2.0 billion in unsubsidized guaranteed loans (equal to FY 2018 but $360 million more than requested) and $1.5 billion in direct loans (equal to FY 2018 but $30 million more than requested). For farm ownership loans, the loan level is set at $4.3 billion, including $2.8 billion in guaranteed loans (equal to both FY 2018 and the request) and $1.5 billion in direct loans (equal to both FY 2018 and the request)." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
Legislation Provides Nearly $900 Million For Operating And Administration For The Natural Resources Conversation Service's Conservation Programs. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Agriculture Department administers a number of conservation programs that help private landowners reduce erosion, improve soil and water quality and quantity, improve and conserve wetlands, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat. Most of these programs receive mandatory funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The measure provides $879.1 million for operating and administering the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) conservation programs, according to Democratic appropriators --- $5 million more than FY 2018 and $210 million more than requested. It rejects administration proposals to end funding for the watershed flood and prevention programs, appropriating $150 million (equal to FY 2018). However, as requested, the bill provides no funding for the watershed rehabilitation program, which received $10 million in FY 2018." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
Legislation Funded The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Which Provides Crop Insurance Protection For American Farmers. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation is a government-owned entity, managed by the Agriculture Department's Risk Management Agency, that provides crop insurance protection to farmers and other agricultural entities. The measure provides 'such sums as may be necessary' for the CCC and to carry out the federal crop insurance program. Democratic appropriators did not estimate the amounts that the bill would provide for those activities. (The bill reported by Senate Appropriations estimated it would provide the requested $15.4 billion for the CCC, 8% more than FY 2018, to reimburse the CCC for expenditures incurred in previous fiscal years to finance farm price supports, export promotion, disposition of surplus commodities and other programs. It also estimated the bill would provide $8.7 billion to carry out the federal crop insurance program, 3% less than FY 2018.) The bill appropriates $75 million for the Risk Management Agency to administer the federal crop insurance program, equal to FY 2018 but nearly double the request." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
Legislation Appropriated $1 Billion For The Animal And Plant Health Inspection Services And $1 Billion For The Food Safety And Inspection Service. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducts inspection and quarantine activities to protect animals and plants from diseases and pests. The bill provides $1.0 billion for APHIS operations --- $18 million more than FY 2018 and $262 million more than requested, according to Democratic appropriators. Within the APHIS total, the bill recommends $333 million for animal health activities, $342 million for plant health, $127 million for wildlife services, $35 million for regulatory services, $42 million for emergency management, $38 million for safe trade, and $32 million for animal welfare. The bill includes an $8 million increase, to remain available until Sept. 30, 2020, to help states and producers address the damaging effects of citrus greening disease within the specialty crop pests program, was well as a separate $7.5 million for one-time control and management related to the multiple-agency response to citrus greening. It also provides $12 million for the cotton pests program; $38 million for animal health technical services; $63 million for avian health; $178 million for specialty crop pests; and $60 million for tree and wood pests. [...] The bill provides $1.0 billion --- $8 million less than FY 2018 but $17 million more than requested --- for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which enforces laws requiring meat and poultry products to be wholesome, unadulterated and properly packaged and labeled. FSIS also inspects egg-processing plants and administers a pathogen reduction program. The measure requires that FSIS employ at least 148 full-time equivalent positions for inspections and enforcement of humane methods of slaughter." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
The Bill Provided $3 Billion For The FDA. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is in the Health and Human Services Department, regulates food, cosmetics, human and animal drugs, and medical devices. Funding for the FDA includes both direct appropriations and funding from user fees. The bill provides the FDA with a direct appropriation of $3.0 billion and it assumes $2.4 billion in user fees, according to Democratic appropriators --- thereby providing the FDA with a total of $5.4 billion in funding for operations in FY 2019. That total is $292 million more than FY 2018 but $239 million less than requested. The direct appropriation is $159 million more than FY 2018 but $213 million less than requested; the administration also requested that new user fees be added. The measure also includes $12 million for FDA buildings and facilities, equal to both FY 2018 and the request." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against An FY 2019 Transportation And HUD Appropriations Bill That Would End A Portion Of The Partial Government Shutdown Without Funding For Trump's Wall. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $71.4 billion for transportation programs for fiscal 2019 and provide for the release of $49 billion from the highway and aviation trust funds. It would [have] provide[d] $49.3 billion for federal highway programs; $17.7 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration; $13.5 billion for mass transit; and $2.8 billion for railroads. The bill would [have] provide[d] $44.5 billion for programs and activities of the Housing and Urban Development Department. From this amount, as well as offsets from payments collected by the Federal Housing Administration, the bill would [have] provide[d] $31.3 billion for public and Indian housing programs and $22.8 billion for the Section 8 rental assistance voucher program." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 244 to 180. [House Vote 23, 1/10/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/10/19; Congressional Actions, H.R. 267]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. According to Congressional Quarterly, "According to Democratic appropriators, the spending bills being considered this week are virtually identical to the versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote, except for 'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping changes' --- with the only substantial changes being that each bill now also includes provisions to retroactively pay federal workers who were furloughed during the partial shutdown." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
About 95 Percent Of HUD Has Had Its Staff Furloughed, Which Has Meant A Suspension Of Health And Safety Inspections, Among Other Things. According to Congressional Quarterly, "For the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD), 95% of its staff has been furloughed, which according to news reports has resulted in the suspension of mandatory health and safety inspections of housing for low-income families, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. About 1,500 landlords operate units covered by a HUD program that expired on Jan. 1 and which cannot be renewed until HUD receives funding, raising the risk of tenants being evicted. The Federal Housing Administration, meanwhile, is unable to process loans and loan approvals which could delay the purchase of homes by new homeowners." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
New FAA Air Traffic Controller Training Has Halted, Among Other Things. According to Congressional Quarterly, "On the transportation side, Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control services and aviation safety activities continue but other FAA activities have been halted, including the training of new air traffic controllers, the issuance of new pilot licenses and medical certificates, and the registration of aircraft. And while the Federal Highway Administration is not affected because it is funded from the Highway Trust Fund, the vast majority of Federal Transit Administration employees are furloughed with most non-safety activities curtailed." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
The Legislation Appropriated $175 Million For The Essential Air Service. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill appropriates $175 million from the aviation trust fund to be used by the Office of the Secretary for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which subsidizes airline carriers for service to smaller communities. The amount provided is $20 million (13%) more than FY 2018 and $82 million (88%) more than requested. In addition, the administration has estimated that overflight fees by aircraft crossing U.S. airspace, which can be applied to the EAS program, would total $140 million in FY 2019." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
The Bill Provided $1.9 Billion For Amtrak. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill provides $1.9 billion for Amtrak (formally the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) --- equal to 2018 funding but $1.2 billion more than requested. Of the total provided, $650 million is for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor operations (equal to FY 2018 and $450 million more than requested) and $1.3 billion is for Amtrak's National Network (equal to FY 2018 and $754 million more than requested). The measure requires at least $50 million be used to bring Amtrak-served facilities and stations on the Northeast Corridor into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that another $50 million or more be used for railroad safety technology, including positive train control, on Amtrak's National Network. The measure continues to limit overtime to $35,000 per employee --- but it allows Amtrak's president to waive this restriction for specific employees for safety or operational efficiency reasons. Amtrak must submit to Congress a report on overtime payments made in FY 2018 and the three previous years." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against An FY 2019 Financial Services Appropriations Bill, Which Would Open Part Of The Federal Government, Such As The IRS And The Treasury Department, That Are Currently Closed. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against an FY 2019 Financial Services appropriations bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of the bill that would provide $23.7 billion in discretionary funding for financial services and general government appropriations in fiscal 2019. The bill would provide $12.7 billion for the Treasury Department, of which $11.3 billion is for the Internal Revenue Service. It would provide $1.7 billion for the Securities and Exchange Commission, $7.7 billion for the operation of the federal court system, and $703 million in federal payments to the District of Columbia. The bill would also provide a 1.9 percent pay increase for civilian federal workers for 2019." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 240 to 188. [House Vote 21, 1/9/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/9/19; Congressional Actions, H.R. 264]
The Bill Appropriated $416 Million For The Office Of National Drug Control Policy. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The measure appropriates a total of $416 million for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which is responsible for developing policies, objectives and priorities for the National Drug Control Program. The total is slightly more than FY 2018 and $386 million more than requested. Within that total for ONDCP, the measure provides $280 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, rejecting the administration's proposal to defund the program. HIDTA provides assistance to federal, state and local law enforcement units operating in areas that are most adversely affected by drug trafficking and have been designated as high-traffic areas. It also provides $117 million (slightly more than FY 2018) for other federal drug control programs, such as the drug free communities program. The administration proposed just $12 million for these other programs. ONDCP is encouraged to ensure that rural and underserved areas that are hardest-hit in the opioid crisis and which have the highest concentrations of opioid-related cases are sufficiently supported in its programs, policies, and activities." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. According to Congressional Quarterly, "According to Democratic appropriators, the spending bills being considered this week are virtually identical to the versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote, except for 'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping changes' --- with the only substantial changes being that each bill now also includes provisions to retroactively pay federal workers who were furloughed during the partial shutdown." [Congressional Quarterly, 1/8/19]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against A Full Year Omnibus Appropriations Bill With No Funding For Trump's Wall; Legislation Provided Backpay For Federal Workers. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a resolution that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] full-year continuing appropriations covering six of the seven fiscal 2019 appropriations bills that have not been enacted into law, including those that relate to Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services, Interior-Environment, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD provisions. The bill include[d] provisions for a 1.9 percent pay increase for federal civilian employees and would extend the National Flood Insurance Program through fiscal 2019. It would also [have] provide[d] for retroactive pay for federal workers furloughed during the partial shutdown." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 241 to 190. [House Vote 11, 1/3/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/3/19; Congressional Actions, H.R. 21]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against A Short Term CR Through February 8th For The Department Of Homeland Security With No Funding For Trump's Wall; Legislation Provided Backpay For Federal Workers. In January 2019, Schweikert voted against a resolution that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] short-term funding for the Homeland Security Department through Feb. 8, 2019 at rates provided in the fiscal 2018 omnibus appropriations law, but with additional restrictions for use of border security funds that would prevent the appropriated dollars from being used to construct the president's proposed concrete border 'wall.' The bill would also [have] provide[d] for backpay for all furloughed federal employees at the Homeland Security Department as compensation for pay missed during the lapse in appropriations." The vote was on passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 239 to 192. [House Vote 9, 1/3/19; Congressional Quarterly, 1/3/19; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 1]
2018: Schweikert Voted To Prevent A Government Shutdown Over Trump's Wall; The Bill Provided Funds For Trump's Border Wall. In December 2018, Schweikert voted for a continuing resolution funding a significant portion of government through February 8, 2019 as well as allocating $5.7 billion for President Trump's border wall. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill is the legislative vehicle for a short-term continuing resolution that would fund the government through Feb. 8, 2019. It would also authorize $5.7 billion for construction of a border wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as an estimated $7.8 billion in emergency disaster relief funding." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill, with a further House amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 217 to 185. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 472, 12/20/18; Congressional Quarterly, 12/20/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 695]
The Senate Had Earlier Passed A "Clean" CR, Which President Trump Had Initially Supported Before He Reversed His Position. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The enhanced CR emerged in the House on Thursday afternoon after Trump reversed his apparent backing for the "clean" stopgap bill approved by the Senate late Wednesday, after getting pep talks from House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, R-N.C. and other conservative leaders." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/20/18]
On December 11th, Trump Said: "I Am Proud To Shut Down The Government For Border Security, Chuck. ... I Will Take The Mantle. I Will Be The One To Shut It Down. I'm Not Going To Blame You For It." According to Vox, "Speaking to Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in the Oval Office, Trump said on December 11, 'I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck. ... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I'm not going to blame you for it.'" [Vox, 12/21/18]
2018: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against Considering A Full Year Clean CR Legislation Without Funding For Trump's Wall. In December 2018, Schweikert effectively voted against considering legislation that was, according to Roll Call " the 'clean' continuing resolution --- without the additional border wall funding that President Donald Trump is insisting be included --- to the floor as a privileged resolution. [...] [Pelosi] justified her use of the privileged resolution, which is a procedural move that gives one House action precedence over the regular order of business and allows a resolution to leapfrog or interrupt other pending matters before the chamber. [...] Earlier in the day, Trump told House Republicans that he would veto the seven-week stopgap funding bill GOP leaders put forward this week, escalating the odds of a partial government shutdown after Friday at midnight, when temporary appropriations expire." The vote was on a motion to appeal the ruling of the chair that the resolution does not qualify as a question of the privileges of the House. The House agreed to the motion, effectively killing the resolution, by a vote of 187 to 170. [House Vote 467, 12/20/18; Roll Call, 12/20/18; Congressional Quarterly, 12/20/18]