Looking at the docket and future bills - there are some truly scary ones in there. Most are still in committee, but, any of these would be signed by Trump, except maybe the last one. He will not want to sign a bill that gives him less power, so that one is an unknown Based on this administration I'm just not sure whether I want it to pass. Not in any order of importance and not including the multiple bills to repeal the ACA since those are well known.
H.R. 861: To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency
One sentence long and cosponsored by Republican members of Congress from fossil fuel-producing states. Currently awaiting action in the subcommittee on environment.
2. H.R. 610: Tax dollars for private schools
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced this bill in January, which would redistribute funding earmarked for public schools in the form of vouchers for parents to send children to private schools. There is no protection for special needs kids, AP programs, disabled kids, etc. Awaiting action in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
3. H.R. 899: To terminate the Department of Education
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), would cause the U.S. Department of Education to terminate by the end of 2018. Currently in committee.
4. H.J.R. 69: To repeal a rule protecting wildlife
Introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), this repeals a rule that prohibits “non-subsistence” hunting in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. The resolution passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate. Wildlife in ANWR are already under stress from rising temps. Without action on climate change, scientists predict we could lose wild polar bears by 2100. Two-thirds could be gone by 2050, this bill would hasten their demise.
5. H.R. 172: To restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment
This one is sponsored by Rep Walter Jones (R-NC). He confuses me, sometimes he actually votes logically and then he does something crazy like propose this bill.
6. H.R. 1031: To eliminate the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection by repealing title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, commonly known as the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010.
Sponsored by Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX).
7. H.R. 198 & H.R. 631 & H.R. 451: Permanently Repeal the Estate Tax Act of 2017
HR 198 is sponsored by Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), HR 451 by Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH) and HR 631 by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD). One of these is probably a done deal.
8. H.R. 354: To defund Planned Parenthood
Rep. Diane Black (R-Tennessee) introduced this bill which would prevent any federal grants from going to Planned Parenthood for a year unless they swore to not perform abortions. Only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood resources go toward abortions and ZERO federal dollars. The vast majority of funding is used to help low-income women get STD tests, contraceptive care, and breast cancer screenings. In committee.
9. H.R. 785: National Right-to-Work legislation
Again, the lovely Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) is looking out for the country. In committee.
10. H.R. 147: To criminalize abortion
Sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Arizona) the bill would prosecute pregnant women seeking abortions, along with abortion providers, by making abortion a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Currently awaiting action in the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
11. S. 21: Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017
The REINS Act passed the House already and is in the Senate. Sponsored by Rand Paul (R-Ky). It requires that any future major regulation adopted by an Executive Agency must be approved by a specific resolution in each House of Congress within 70 days to take effect. While I think this would be a good thing for the Trump Administration, if it had been in effect under the Obama Administration, regulations that were passed including food safety regulations, the Clean Power Plan regulating pollution from electrical generating facilities, net neutrality rules protecting the internet from monopoly, restrictions on predatory lending and energy efficiency standards for appliances would never have passed.