Washington Update

Supreme Court Decisions

We come together knowing life is a precious gift worth protecting

Life wins!

It is a momentous day in history. The dignity and value of each human life has been upheld.

The citizens of the United States are once again free to safeguard innocent children. This decision corrects the grave constitutional error of Roe v. Wade. It rightfully restores the American people’s ability to protect babies and recognizes the science-backed truths of the humanity of the unborn.

In this moment, our exceptional nation is wholly recognizing the foundational right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As we celebrate today’s decision, we honor the dedicated citizens who’ve steadfastly fought for the sanctity of life. America’s noblest ideas of dignity start with recognizing the value of every human being—and our joint efforts have ushered in a new chapter. We acknowledge much work remains to protect the most vulnerable among us.

I also want to note that the unprecedented leak of a draft opinion, which sought to obstruct the Court's decision-making process, still must be addressed. The Supreme Court’s duty is to follow the Constitution and enact jurisprudence based in fact. Today, reason—not bullying and intimidation tactics—prevailed.

The Supreme Court proved that it is an institution that cannot be bullied into submission, no matter how extreme and dangerous the radical left's tactics become.

Arkansans rejoice knowing the innocent lives and morality at the heart of this case have been given a voice.

Read more here.

The constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans were upheld

This wasn’t the only big case decided this week. The Supreme Court also ruled in favor of law-abiding Americans. In NYSRPA v. Bruen, New York’s unconstitutional concealed carry restrictions on responsible gun owners were overruled. I was a supporter of the lawsuit and signed an amicus brief in support of the constitutional rights of Americans. The decision reaffirmed the right of Americans to keep and bear arms for personal protection. Foundational to our nation is the fact that our Second Amendment freedoms ‘shall not be infringed,’ and the Supreme Court has protected the bedrock liberties prescribed to the citizens of the United States no matter where they reside.

Read more here.

Protecting our constitutional rights is also why I voted against the Senate gun-control proposal. Infringing on the fundamental rights of law-abiding and responsible Arkansans and Americans will not stop senseless violence. While this bill is rife with vague standards and ambiguous language, the protections afforded by the Bill of Rights are not. I’m committed to solutions that effectively protect our communities, address our nation’s mental health crisis, and make schools safer.

I’m focused on enacting real solutions that enhance public safety. I helped introduce the STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children Act and today supported efforts to immediately allow consideration of this legislation on the House floor. Democrats rejected this action, which would have allowed a vote to fund school resource officers and mental health counselors, close gaps in school security, and strengthen active shooter preparedness. I also voted this week to pass the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 to support Americans suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Markup

FSGG Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Womack speaks on amendments during markup

As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), I participated in the FY23 markup for the FSGG funding bill. For those unfamiliar with markups, it is the process by which congressional committees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation before it is advanced to the floor. The legislation provides annual funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Judiciary, the Executive Office of the President, and other independent agencies, including the Small Business Administration.

I am grateful that my Democrat counterpart, Rep. Quigley, included many priorities for Republican Members and addressed several bipartisan priorities, such as helping small businesses, supporting sanctions programs, and providing additional security funding for the Supreme Court.

That being said, as currently drafted, the bill ignores our unsustainable fiscal trajectory. Arkansans and Americans are being forced to make tough financial decisions each day. Congress needs to do the same. Yet here we are again with an FSGG bill with double-digit increases. The out-of-control baseline allocations and controversial riders are unacceptable. Both sides know this. With debt approaching record levels and inflation at a 40-year high, responsible policymaking is required now more than ever. We can meet the needs of our nation while prioritizing fiscal restraint. It’s high time my Democrat colleagues get serious about finding bipartisan consensus. Another episode of appropriations bills purposed as messaging documents leaves us no closer to finishing our work.

During the markup, I was duly focused on improving the currently unworkable proposal. In an effort to push back on the Democrats’ partisan proposals, Republicans offered several amendments during both markups. These amendments were rejected:
 
Republican Amendments to the Financial Services-General Government Appropriations Bill:

• Promote pro-life policies by restoring long-standing prohibitions on the use of Federal Employee Health Benefits and District of Columbia local funds for abortion.
• Prevent new Treasury regulations that do not reduce inflation until either the cost of gas or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) returns to pre-pandemic levels.
• Prevent the U.S. Postal Service from developing government-run banking. 
• Prohibit the SEC from implementing its proposed climate rule that would require public companies to disclose climate-related information in their filings.
• Prohibit SEC overreach into private fund advisors.
• Increase IRS reporting threshold requirement for 3rd party settlement organizations to report business transactions.
• Transfer funds from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund.
• Move $80 million from IRS enforcement programs to the Treasury for cybersecurity efforts.
• Prevent wasteful spending at the Federal Trade Commission by reducing funding to the FY22 level.

Read more here or watch my opening remarks here.

I will continue working on these appropriations issues next week in Washington. You can keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from my office.