Congress Passes 2007 Supplemental Appropriations, 2008 Budget
In May, Congress voted to pass an amended supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 2206) funding military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the remainder of fiscal year 2007. Congress also voted to adopt a final budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 21) setting overall spending levels for fiscal year 2008.
As amended, H.R. 2206 would require the President to report on progress the Iraqi government is making in meeting certain benchmarks. These benchmarks include the progress of Iraqi Security forces in providing even-handed security, the enactment of a law by the Iraqi parliament to equitably share oil revenues, and the reform of current laws related to "de-Baathification." Unlike a previous version of the bill (see the May 2007 e-newsletter), the amended version of H.R. 2206 does not include an arbitrary date for the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq.
S. Con. Res. 21 proposes to spend $21 billion (2%) more on discretionary programs in fiscal year 2008 than the Administration had proposed. Entitlement spending would continue to increase by 6% per year. S. Con. Res. 21 also proposes an unspecified tax increase of at least $217 billion over the next five years. If spending is not restrained enough to eliminate the deficit by 2012, the budget resolution proposes a tax increase of up to $392 billion. Critics of the resolution argued that, if adopted, this would amount to either the largest or second-largest tax increase in the history of the country.
Congressman Todd Platts voted in favor of H.R. 2206, which passed by a vote of 280-142 and was subsequently signed into law by the President. Congressman Platts voted against S. Con. Res. 21, but the measure was adopted in the overall House by a vote of 214-209.
Congressman Platts' Statement on Senate Immigration Bill
In response to constituent inquiries, Congressman Todd Platts has issued the following statement regarding immigration legislation currently being debated in the Senate:
"I am opposed to the amnesty legislation (S. 1348) currently pending in the Senate. This legislation would allow millions of undocumented workers in the country illegally to apply for legal 'guest worker' status.
"I believe amnesty is the wrong approach to the immigration issue for several reasons. First, amnesty encourages more illegal immigration, especially if strong border control measures and stricter enforcement measures are not implemented prior to it. Second, amnesty undermines respect for the law. Finally, amnesty is blatantly unfair to those individuals who have been waiting in line, sometimes for years, to come to the United States legally."
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Congressman Platts and Colleagues Advocate Tougher Lobbying Reform
Congressman Platts and four colleagues sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi in response to rumors that the House leadership was planning to block consideration of certain amendments meant to strengthen a lobbying reform bill. Ultimately, the House voted 224-197 in favor of a "special rule" blocking direct consideration of these amendments.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa19_platts/ethicsreform.html)
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