WASHINGTONÂ — As Democrats attempt to ram a multi-trillion dollar tax-and-spend spree through Congress with the budget reconciliation process rather than regular order with committee hearings, a group of GOP Senators led by Senators Mike Braun, Richard Burr, and Jim Inhofe are introducing a bill to require that reconciliation bills receive a full hearing before votes can occur so massive tax changes and spending bills can be vetted by lawmakers and the American people.
No Hearing, No Vote is introduced by Senators Mike Braun, John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, Richard Burr, Shelley Moore Capito, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, John Hoeven, Jim Inhofe, James Lankford, Jim Risch, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, and Mike Rounds.
No Hearing, No Vote was first introduced in 2017 by Senator Chuck Schumer and 39 Democrats.
“Democrats are trying to fundamentally change this country and inject trillions of dollars of federal government into every aspect of your life, and the American people have been kept in the dark. No Hearing No Vote is simple: every American should have a representative at the table when Congress is considering huge bills that will affect every American,†said Senator Braun
“Democrats’ abuse of the budget reconciliation process is appalling and sad. Despite the trillions of dollars they have already spent under the Biden administration and the clear concerns of American citizens regarding this spending, they want more. Their tax and spending spree would burn through Americans’ hard-earned dollars at an alarming rate and it must be stopped. That’s why I am proud to introduce the No Hearing, No Vote bill alongside Sens. Braun, Burr and a number of our Republican colleagues to bring greater transparency and deliberation to the reconciliation process,†said Senator Inhofe.Â
“The last few months have demonstrated just how far the Democrats are willing to go to jam this multi-trillion dollar liberal wish list through Congress,†said Senator Burr. “It’s clear the Democrats don’t want to hold public hearings on this spending spree because they know how unpopular some of these policies are with the American people. This commonsense legislation ensures that both Democrats and Republicans have a voice at the table when considering significant funding decisions.â€Â
“Tennesseans have had enough of Democrat scheming,â€Â said Senator Blackburn. “Taxpayers are already on the hook for trillions of dollars’ worth of radical policies that will take more money out of the pockets of hardworking Americans. No Hearing, No Vote puts an end to the left’s backdoor budgets and forces politicians to own up to the citizens footing the bill.â€
“The lack of accountability to American taxpayers in Congress is staggering. Again and again, we’ve seen Democrats rush massive legislation spending billions or trillions in tax dollars without any public input, real debate or scrutiny. That needs to end. America’s credit card is maxed out and if we want to protect opportunity for future generations, we need to get our house in order and pay down the debt. We must pass our bill, No Hearing, No Vote, to hold Democrats accountable for every single dollar spent in their reckless tax-and-spend agenda. It is our responsibility to put structural reforms like these in place to get our nation back on an economically stable path for American families now and for future generations,†said Senator Rick Scott.
“Congress routinely carries out its instructed responsibilities under regular order, even in the case of legislation that has resulted in a partisan outcome. Opting to move legislation by forgoing regular order sets a dysfunctional precedent to abandon Senate procedure and further erodes public trust,â€said Senator Crapo.
“Democrats are trying to ram their enormous tax-and-spending package through Congress without proper scrutiny or transparency,â€Â said Senator Cramer. “Our bill would ensure we follow regular order and prevent Democrats from advancing their reckless agenda without first going through the committee process.â€
“With D.C. Democrats pushing to ram through their reckless tax-and-spending-spree, at the very least, taxpayers across Iowa and the nation deserve to know how and where their hard-earned dollars are being doled out. That’s why I’m backing this simple effort to shed light on the Democrats’ out-of-control spending for Iowans and Americans who will be footing the bill,†said Senator Ernst.
“Senate Democrats are plowing ahead with their plan to create $3.5 trillion of new entitlements without a single Senate hearing or getting any input from the American people. This is not how the process is supposed to work. If the bill doesn’t get a hearing, then the Senate should not give it a vote,†saidSenator Lankford.
“Democrats are attempting to ram through $3.5 trillion in spending using the budget reconciliation process. The No Hearing, No Vote bill is an effort to stop this massive tax-and-spend legislation by requiring that any reconciliation bill have hearings before any floor votes,†said Senator Hoeven.
“Democrats want to continue sneaking through their heedless spending on a completely partisan basis in the dark of night, but we owe it to the American people to bring it to light. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in this common sense bill to preserve Senate order, restore committees to their rightful place, protect the American taxpayer, and end the Democrats’ reckless spending sprees,†said Senator Hagerty.
