Looming Deadlines for Legislative Priorities
This week, the House is expected to vote on a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government open, averting a replay of the costly Republican-led government shutdown in 2013. However, once the government is funded, there is still a long list of critical, time-sensitive legislative priorities that require immediate attention from Congress. Here’s a reminder of important issues with upcoming deadlines that Democrats will continue to urge House Republican leaders to address:
Budget Negotiations
Deadline: December 11 (if the clean continuing resolution passes the House this week)
Democrats will continue to urge Republicans to immediately begin budget negotiations on an agreement to replace the sequester cuts to both defense and nondefense priorities. The draconian cuts of the sequester have harmed our ability to invest in our nation’s future. By restricting investments in research, education, infrastructure, and job creation, America’s place in the global economy and our national security are threatened.
Export-Import Bank
Deadline: Expired June 30
This summer, Republicans shut down the Export-Import Bank for the first time in its 81-year history. The Bank provides critical financing assistance – at no cost to taxpayers – to small, medium, and large-sized U.S. businesses that helps them create jobs here at home and sell their products overseas. Just two months after the Bank shut down, companies across the country are already feeling negative impacts on their ability to compete in the global marketplace.
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
Deadline: September 30
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will expire tomorrow if Congress does not act. Created in 1965, it is one of the nation’s most successful conservation programs. The LWCF uses a small percentage of revenue from offshore oil and gas drilling to invest in public lands and local recreation projects. No taxpayer dollars are used to fund projects, which help to support more than 6 million U.S. jobs connected with outdoor recreation. If Republicans do not work with Democrats to reauthorize the LWCF, public lands protection and outdoor recreation and conservation programs across the country will feel the consequences.
Highway Bill
Deadline: October 29
In thirty days, Congress must act to authorize a sustainable long-term highway bill for infrastructure repairs, which will provide state and local governments with certainty and strengthen our national economy. Democrats will continue to urge Republicans to work with us on a bipartisan highway bill to modernize our roads and bridges and create well-paying American jobs.
Debt Limit
Deadline: Mid-November
Failing to take action to ensure America can pay its bills on time would have disastrous economic consequences, including risking another financial crisis and threatening the jobs of hardworking Americans. Democrats will continue to urge Republicans to abandon their habit of holding government hostage and work with Democrats on a clean debt limit extension that creates greater certainty for our economy.
Tax Extenders
Deadline: Expired December 31, 2014
If Republicans don’t act on a retroactive tax extenders bill, a number of tax provisions that expired at the end of last year will be unavailable to taxpayers when they file their 2015 taxes, making it harder for individuals, families, and small businesses to plan and invest, resulting in increased instability and a lack of confidence in the economy. The provisions include credits for research and development, deductions for teachers’ out of pocket expenses, and credits that assist the U.S. wind energy industry.
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