Page 298 – Taxpayers Protection Alliance

As Debt Ceiling Nears, Several Bills Offer A Path Forward

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 22, 2015
Post category:Appropriations Budget Congress Debt Debt Ceiling Michi Iljazi Spending Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The country is $18.4 trillion in debt and in less than two weeks (November 3) the country will hit the debt ceiling. With mere days to find a solution there is a real need to ensure the full faith and credit of the United States remains in tact with responsible legislation from Congress. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is hopeful Congress can pass legislation that will not only address the debt ceiling, but also make inroads towards real spending reduction. Washington has been here before and once again it is getting to a critical point where there are only days left to act. This is a growing trend and TPA is dismayed with last minute deals and the habit of governing by crisis. However, this most recent crisis has led to a number of serious proposals aimed at dealing with this problem in a responsible, reasonable, and long term manner. One plan has emerged in the House is H.R. 3771, The Terms of Credit Act (TCA), put forward by the Republican Study Committee (RSC) headed by Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas). TCA is a comprehensive solution that puts forth a multi-pronged strategy to dealing with the debt limit.

TPA Leads Coalition Effort Urging Congress to Make Bonus Depreciation Permanent

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 20, 2015
Post category:Congress Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Comprehensive tax reform continues to be an issue where TPA is working hard to pressure Congress to act. It’s been nearly three decades since the last time Washington did something major on tax reform. While lawmakers continue to delay on moving forward with overall tax reform, there are things they can do to give taxpayers relief while making the tax code work better for everyone. With that in mind, TPA led a coalition effort sending this letter to Congress last week urging both the House and Senate to make accelerated expensing, or “bonus depreciation” permanent. The program helps businesses by making it easier for companies to write off expenses. It’s had a positive impact on the small business economy and since 2008 it’s been renewed every two years, until this year. TPA was joined on the letter by the 60 Plus Association, American Conservative Union, Americans for Prosperity, Campaign for Liberty, Center for Individual Freedom, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Frontiers of Freedom, Grassroot Hawaii Action, Hispanic Leadership Fund, Institute for Liberty, Less Government, Log Cabin Republicans, National Taxpayers Union, R Street Institute, and the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council. Click 'read more' below to see the full letter

Democrat Debate Long On Rhetoric, Short on Reform

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 19, 2015
Post category:Debt Defense Deficit Michi Iljazi Spending Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The GOP Presidential candidates have debated twice, but finally taxpayers were able to hear from the Democrat field of contenders running to replace President Obama. In their first nationwide debate, five candidates gathered on stage in Las Vegas to field questions about a wide range of issues the country is faced with today. Unfortunately, much of the discussion and the answers left much to be desired. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) will not be endorsing a candidate for either party’s nomination, our goal is to analyze what all of the candidates are saying on the issues that matter most to taxpayers. In the first debate amongst the field of Democrats, those issues were largely ignored. Comprehensive tax reform is an issue that TPA has been working on for years, and each year the urgency has grown to get something done in Washington. Our tax code with regulations now totals more than ten million words, and there’s a good chance that number will continue to increase if Congress continues to do nothing. The five Democratic candidates only mentioned taxes in passing. No candidate delved into any specific plan for overhauling the tax code and the usual left-leaning mantra of “tax the rich” could be heard a time or two.

Hillary Clinton Opposed Insurance Companies In the 90s, But ObamaCare Is Making Her Sing A New Tune

Post author:David Williams
Post published:October 16, 2015
Post category:Healthcare Obamacare Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This article originally appeared on Independent Journal Review Whether it’s because she believes in them or she thinks she must articulate them to defeat Sen. Bernie Sanders and ward off a threat from Vice President Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has become the voice of big leftwing ideas over the last several months. From her sudden opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline to her new plan for federal control of prescription drug costs, she’s leaving precious little room on her left for her Democratic opponents to maneuver. But there is one dragon she appears curiously disinterested in slaying: Big health insurance companies. In 1994 she called Big Insurance, “the very industry that has brought us to the brink of bankruptcy because of the way that they have financed health care.” But today, despite record insurance profits and sky-rocketing premiums that hardly seem to be in the best interest of consumers, Clinton is stone silent. Horror stories about plans in Illinois relied upon by families with special needs being cancelled or deductibles that “are crippling the middle class” seem custom made for Democratic campaign ads. But don’t expect those worried-families-around-the- kitchen-table commercials from Hillary this cycle.

TPA Joins AFP Coalition of 40 Free Market Groups Urging Congress Against Reviving the Crony Export-Import Bank

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 14, 2015
Post category:Congress Ex-Im Bank House Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.) is leading the charge to revive Ex-Im The Export-Import Bank has had an expired charter now for more than three months, and the world has not yet ended and doom has not occurred. Much like the predictions of sequester, it was all fear mongering from members of Congress willing to scare taxpayers for the sake of stealing their money. Unfortunately a new effort to save the crony bank has begun and Representatives are using a parliamentary tool to do it, subverting the normal committee process for getting bills to the floor. Last week, 218 members of the House (including 42 Republicans) filed a discharge petition to put Rep. Stephen Fincher’s (R-Tenn.) legislation to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank on the floor. Mr. Fincher’s bill is H.R. 597, the Reform Exports and Expand the American Economy Act, and it will now get a vote on October 26 according to members who signed the petition. TPA opposes the bill, the discharge petition, and any vote to revive the bank. Last week, TPA joined an effort led by Americans for Prosperity blasting the move to use a discharge petition and 40 groups in total signed a letter to Congress expressing that very sentiment. To see the letter, click 'read more' below

TPA Urges Congress to Act on Reforming Video Marketplace Laws

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 13, 2015
Post category:Congress Michi Iljazi Regulation Taxpayers Protection Alliance Telecommunications

Congress has been slowly moving toward reforming many of the country’s outdated communications laws to better serve taxpayers and consumers. TPA has been agressive in calling for faster action on Capitol Hill, but unfortunately that has yet to materialize. However, recently the FCC took action on their own to make important changes to some of the rules that govern the video marketplace, but that doesn't mean Congress should abdicate their responsibilites to the federal agency. Keeping that in mind, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance sent the following letter to members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, as well as the Senate Commerce Committee, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It's imporant for Congress to maintain their proper role without letting the FCC take too much action. Click 'read more' below to see the letter

Speaker Chaffetz Could Be Boon to Internet Sales Taxes and Online Gambling Ban

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 10, 2015
Post category:Congress House Internet Internet Gambling Marketplace Fairness Act Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) set off a firestorm when he abruptly announced he would resign from Congress at the end of October. While the news is still sending shockwaves throughout Washington, the competition to replace Mr. Boehner has been a full court press for the limited candidates aiming for the job. Now that current Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has dropped out of the race, there are other members considering a run for Speaker. Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fl.) is running (in what appears to be nothing more than a long-shot bid), and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) has also thrown his hat into the ring for Speaker. Adding to the drama of this leadership election is the move by Speaker Boehner this week to postpone the vote (originally scheduled for October 7) to October 29, the same day Boehner officially retires from Congress. The race for Speaker is critical and while the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) doesn’t endorse in these leadership elections, it is important to point out the potential legislative consequences that could follow with a new Speaker. In particular, what a Speaker Chaffetz would mean for certain pieces of legislation that TPA has been adamantly opposed to over the last few legislative sessions.

STATEMENT: TPA Urges Passage of Bill to Repeal Crude Oil Export Ban

Post author:David Williams
Post published:October 9, 2015
Post category:Congress Energy House Oil Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) urges the House of Representatives to pass H.R.702, a bill to adapt to changing crude oil market conditions. The bipartisan legislation is being sponsored in the House by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas). This historic vote to repeal the ban on U.S. crude oil exports will be good for consumers and taxpayers. Banning exports of U.S. crude oil is bad policy that has been in place for 40 years. Lifting the ban will allow the nation to move towards a more secure energy and economic future. The ban prohibiting America from exporting its crude oil is often referred to as “outdated” and “impractical.” Simply put, this is an understatement. Changing this policy will foster free trade, a principle that is beneficial for both taxpayers and the whole economy. An analysis conducted earlier this year found American crude oil exports could add 300,000 new jobs and increase America’s GDP by $20 billion as soon as 2020. In addition, the Government Accountability Office and Congressional Budget Office recently stated that allowing exports of American crude oil would result in diminished pressure on crude oil and gasoline prices, serving a big win for consumers. It’s clear that everyday Americans will see the benefits of ending the ban on crude oil exports. This ban is restricting the expansion of the U.S. energy economy, which is thriving and delivering lower-cost energy to consumers. We applaud the U.S. House for holding today’s vote and TPA urges the Senate to remember that a vote to repeal the ban is a vote to build a stronger and more internationally competitive America, for current and future generations.

Speaker Chaffetz Could Be Boon to Internet Sales Taxes and Online Gambling Ban

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 8, 2015
Post category:Congress House Internet Internet Gambling Marketplace Fairness Act Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) set off a firestorm when he abruptly announced he would resign from Congress at the end of October. While the news is still sending shockwaves throughout Washington, the competition to replace Mr. Boehner has been a full court press for the limited candidates aiming for the job. Now that current Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has dropped out of the race, there are other members considering a run for Speaker. Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fl.) is running (in what appears to be nothing more than a long-shot bid), and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) has also thrown his hat into the ring for Speaker. Adding to the drama of this leadership election is the move by Speaker Boehner this week to postpone the vote (originally scheduled for October 7) to October 29, the same day Boehner officially retires from Congress. The race for Speaker is critical and while the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) doesn’t endorse in these leadership elections, it is important to point out the potential legislative consequences that could follow with a new Speaker. In particular, what a Speaker Chaffetz would mean for certain pieces of legislation that TPA has been adamantly opposed to over the last few legislative sessions.

TPA Statement on the TPP Agreement

Post author:David Williams
Post published:October 7, 2015
Post category:Congress Intellectual Property Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Earlier this week, the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations reached an historic trade agreement with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). This trade agreement has been a work in progress that has taken years to reach this critical point. Free trade is good for the economy and taxpayers and agreeing to TPP is a step in the right direction for all countries involved. This agreement was made possible by the passage of Trade Promotion Authority. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is proud to have helped secure passage of Trade Promotion Authority, which advances free trade while also providing oversight of all trade deals. As the U.S. trade deficit in the Pacific region continues to be a problem for our economy, TPP can be a positive step forward in helping to eliminate the deficit. There is still a great deal of work that needs to be done in order to thoroughly analyze the full impact that the agreement will have on the United States and partner nations. click 'read more' below to read the full statement