Democrats REJECT Military Pay Raise and Other Amendments, SUPPORT Title 42
Jun 27, 2022
Press Release
More Republican Efforts to Amend Democrats’ Bills will Come This Week
The Appropriations Committee finished its first week of full committee markups for fiscal year 2023 and is starting its second week of markups today. In an effort to push back on the Democrats’ partisan proposals, Republican Committee Members offered many common-sense amendments. As expected, most of them were rejected by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Here are a few of the most shocking:
Military Base Pay
As a former U.S. Naval officer and someone who commanded enlisted sailors, Congressman Mike Garcia (R-CA) offered an amendment to raise the base pay for men and women in uniform. Some enlisted servicemembers start out at just $20,000 a year, leaving many of them and their families below the poverty line and reliant on programs like food stamps. The amendment would have increased base pay to $31,200, at a time when many of these families are struggling to make ends meet due to record-high inflation. Democrats REJECTED the amendment, refusing to give a much-needed and deserved pay raise to our military members. Instead of ensuring that those who serve and protect our country are taken care of, Democrats’ FY23 bills direct funds to misplaced priorities like climate change initiatives.
Military Base Pay
As a former U.S. Naval officer and someone who commanded enlisted sailors, Congressman Mike Garcia (R-CA) offered an amendment to raise the base pay for men and women in uniform. Some enlisted servicemembers start out at just $20,000 a year, leaving many of them and their families below the poverty line and reliant on programs like food stamps. The amendment would have increased base pay to $31,200, at a time when many of these families are struggling to make ends meet due to record-high inflation. Democrats REJECTED the amendment, refusing to give a much-needed and deserved pay raise to our military members. Instead of ensuring that those who serve and protect our country are taken care of, Democrats’ FY23 bills direct funds to misplaced priorities like climate change initiatives.
“Disinformation” Governance Board
In light of the Biden Administration’s “disinformation” board, Subcommittee Ranking Member Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) offered an amendment that would prevent the establishment of DHS’s initiative. Democrats REJECTED the amendment, supporting big government and big tech colluding to censor free speech.
In light of the Biden Administration’s “disinformation” board, Subcommittee Ranking Member Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) offered an amendment that would prevent the establishment of DHS’s initiative. Democrats REJECTED the amendment, supporting big government and big tech colluding to censor free speech.
Infant Formula Crisis
Based on how the FDA has handled the infant formula crisis, it’s clear that strong leadership is needed at the FDA, not a significant increase in funding. Still, Democrats included a 10% increase for the agency with no accountability measures in place. Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), co-founder of the Maternity Care Caucus, offered an amendment to hold the Office of the FDA Commissioner accountable for the formula crisis by withholding 30% of funds until the FDA provides a comprehensive plan to address the dire situation families with babies and those with special needs are facing across the country. Democrats REJECTED the amendment, opting to throw more money at the same agency that put us in this crisis in the first place.
Title 42
While most amendments were abruptly rejected by the Majority, a crucial amendment, led by Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA), was supported: extending enforcement of Title 42. With as many as 50,000 migrants waiting to cross the border until Title 42 is revoked, the amendment aims to combat the administration’s intentions to stop the public health policy. Democrats SUPPORTED the amendment, ensuring that Title 42 is extended until 180 days after the administration’s COVID-19 public health emergency ends.
117th Congress