Politics in Action: H.R. 5485 and H.R. 1270

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

H.R. 5485 – Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2017

(Rep. Rogers, R-KY)

The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 5485, making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year (FY) ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes.

The bill's reductions in funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) exacerbate the damaging reductions inflicted on the IRS since 2010, and irresponsibly cut funding for the agencies charged with implementing Wall Street reform.  The bill also underfunds the Federal Trade Commission's efforts to promote economic competition.

Furthermore, the legislation includes highly problematic ideological provisions, including provisions that restrict the IRS's ability to implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA), interfere with important new regulations designed to protect consumers from risky or abusive lending, and undermine the principle of home rule for the District of Columbia.  These provisions also prevent the Federal Communications Commission from promoting a free and open internet and encouraging competition in the set-top box market, impacting millions of broadband and cable customers.  Furthermore, these provisions would bar Federal agency efforts to reduce the risks and costs of flood disasters.  Despite these shortcomings, the Administration welcomes the bill's investments in entrepreneurship and small business financing. 

In October 2015, the President worked with congressional leaders from both parties to secure the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA), which partially reversed harmful sequestration cuts slated for FY 2017.  By providing fully-paid-for equal dollar increases for defense and non-defense spending, the BBA allows for investments in FY 2017 that create jobs, support middle-class families, contribute to long-term growth, and safeguard national security.  The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress to enact appropriations that are consistent with that agreement, and fully support economic growth, opportunity, and our national security priorities.  However, the Administration strongly objects to the inclusion of problematic ideological provisions that are beyond the scope of funding legislation. 

Click here for the complete statement.  

H.R. 1270 – The Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015

(Rep. Jenkins, R‑KS, and 39 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 1270, which would create new and unnecessary tax breaks that disproportionately benefit high‑income people, increase taxes for low‑ and middle‑income people, and do nothing to improve the quality of or address the underlying cost of health care.

The Affordable Care Act is working and is fully integrated into an improved American health care system.  Discrimination based on pre‑existing conditions is a thing of the past.  Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 20 million more Americans have health insurance.  And under the Affordable Care Act, we have seen the slowest growth in health care prices in 50 years, benefiting all Americans.

H.R. 1270 would repeal the Affordable Care Act's provisions that limit the use of flexible savings accounts for over‑the‑counter drugs—provisions that help fund the law's coverage improvements and expansions.  The bill also would provide additional tax breaks that disproportionately benefit those with higher income by expanding tax‑preferred health savings accounts.  These changes would do little to reduce health care costs or improve quality.  To fund these new high‑income tax breaks, H.R. 1270 would increase taxes paid by low‑ and middle‑income families by removing the law's limit on repayment of premium tax credits available through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. 

Rather than refighting old political battles by once again voting to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, Members of Congress should be working together to grow the economy, strengthen middle‑class families, and create new jobs.

If the President were presented with H.R. 1270, he would veto the bill. 

Source: Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget