RELEASE:
Wicker Offers Amendments to Senate Budget Plan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a member of the Senate Budget Committee, has offered several amendments to the budget proposal currently being considered by the Senate.
“The budget process is an opportunity to have a say in federal spending and policy priorities for the upcoming year,” Wicker said. “My amendments would strengthen our defense ties with key allies, safeguard funding for our ports and harbors, seek new funding to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, and protect health-care providers from unnecessary cuts under Obamacare.
“Senate Republicans have provided a forward-thinking plan that balances the budget in 10 years without raising taxes. In addition to reining in out-of-control federal spending, this budget offers Americans real health-care reform, job creation, and a more prosperous future.”
Background on Wicker’s Amendments to S.Con.Res. 11, the Budget Resolution:
Finding a Cure for Alzheimer’s (Wicker Amdt. 614): Supports research to identify the cause of Alzheimer’s, provide early diagnostics tools, and develop therapies to delay the onset or halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, which would provide cost savings to the federal government.
Expediting IRS Whistleblower Awards (Wicker Amdt. 620): Calls for the IRS to speed up the award process for those who come forward with information on tax evasion.
Reinforcing “Magnitsky Act” Sanctions (Wicker Amdt. 617): Allows expedited interagency cooperation to identify foreign nationals subject to sanctions under the “Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.”
Strengthening the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (Wicker Amdt. 615): Ensures that Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund fees are only used to finance expenditures on maintenance dredging, dredged material disposal areas, jetties, and breakwaters.
Examining Truck Size and Weight Limits (Wicker Amdt. 616): Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a comprehensive truck size and weight limits study by November 2014. DOT has failed to meet the prior reporting deadline and has not yet provided the report to Congress.
Addressing Obamacare Cuts to Hospital Programs (Wicker Amdt. 619): Protects hospitals from cuts to the Medicare and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program under Obamacare.
Aiding Ukraine (Wicker Amdt. 613): Establishes a deficit neutral reserve fund (DNRF) to improve international defense cooperation, which may include expedited interagency approval of lethal arms and munitions to Ukraine.
Increasing Transparency of Arms Control Obligations: (Wicker Amdt. 618): Requires an annual report on nations that are not meeting international arms control treaty obligations.
Improving Defense Cooperation with Taiwan (Wicker Amdt. 629): Enables technology transfers between the U.S. and Taiwan for the construction of diesel submarines.
Repealing the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (Wicker Amdt. 621): Provides tax and regulatory relief for Americans living abroad.
3/26/15
