Eagle Forum leaders and members from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C. to learn about the most important issues facing our country, and to make their voices heard. On Thursday’s Lobby Day Eagles met with their Congressmen and Senators to discuss the issues that affect their families, communities, and paychecks. Three legislative topics were are the top of the list: appropriations, the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670/S.2226), and the Kids Online Safety Act (S.1409).
With the appropriations bills in flux, our Lobby Day was especially timely. House Republicans have struggled to rally enough votes for a bill to keep the government open. Disagreements on topline numbers, short-term fixes, immigration, and Ukraine funding have significantly slowed down their progress.
Last week, Eagle Forum highlighted an agreement made between the House Freedom Caucus and Main Street Caucus to place a one-month continuing resolution (CR) on the floor that contained an eight percent cut to non-defense spending and most of the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2). This was an excellent deal given that the good, conservative immigration provisions would become permanent if signed into law. However, several GOP members refused to move forward with a CR regardless of the trade-off.
The current strategy is to pass each appropriations bill. With twelve to pass, the entire House will have more of a say through the debate and amendment process. This will ensure a government shutdown but allow for more transparency.
In the Senate, besides bickering about the dress code, members are moving forward with the House-passed federal aviation bill (H.R. 3935) but attaching a “clean” CR to it along with billions in Ukraine funding. This would fund the government until November 17th, one week before Thanksgiving. With the federal aviation bill expiring on September 30th along with government funding, a government shutdown could include severe disruptions to U.S. air traffic.
The second lobbying priority is passing a conservative National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670/S.2226). The House and Senate have passed their separate versions with the House version containing conservative priorities that protect life, combat gender identity and race politics, uphold medical freedom for military personnel refusing COVID-19 vaccines, and more. The Senate version lacks these provisions. Both chambers will go to a conference to work out the differences in the bills. House Democrats have already signaled that they want abortion to be a negotiation piece. Fortunately, many of the conferees appointed by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) are solidly pro-life. Eagle Forum members are asking their representatives to demand that conservative policies remain in the final bill so our military can remain strong and prepared to carry out its mission.
The last priority of our lobbyists is the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1409). With forty-four cosponsors from both parties, this is an outstanding bill to unite conservatives, moderates, and liberals. S. 1409 requires internet websites and platforms to allow parents access to their children’s internet activity. It also holds them accountable for how they advertise to young viewers and how they track their data. Not only does this bill need to move through the Senate, but it also needs to be introduced in the House.
Eagles received positive feedback from their elected officials. Even though this is a contentious time for Congress, we have great conservatives who are fighting for important issues like life, immigration, parental rights, and the protection of children.
To read detailed information on the bills Eagle Forum members lobbied on, click the links below for each topic:
