The House of Representatives will likely vote today on the $1.1 Trillion Cromnibus Bill (continuing resolution omnibus bill) for funding most of the government through September 2015. During this "Lame Duck" session, legislators seek to add provisions to the Omnibus Bill, usually controversial, that wouldn't pass on their own. The Republicans have vowed if the bill isn't passed, they will shut down the government.
A Lame Duck session Cromnibus Bill is the perfect opportunity to force legislators to vote on controversial, destructive legislation. Much of it will be added "under the radar" and any member who votes against it will be accused of shutting down the government and keeping your granny from getting her Social Security check. Lobbyists are working overtime, herding reluctant Democrats into supporting Cromnibus additions that will, among other things, repeal provisions in the Dodd-Frank fin reg act that will once again allow risky gambling on Wall Street.
Here are 5 riders currently in the Cromnibus Bill that could prevent passage:
1 Repeal of Dodd Frank regulations on risky trading of derivatives
2 Increasing Campaign Donation Limits - among other things, it raises the ceiling so that, in a 2 year election cycle, individuals can give up to $648,000 to a national party and $453,600 to any party's House and Senate Committees. That's a total of over $1.55 million that any individual can contribute to a political party during a 2 yr election cycle, ten times higher than the current ceiling.
3 Relaxed school nutrition guidelines
4 Gutting Cost Cutting Provisions in Obamacare
5 Changes to pension law that allow multi-employer pension funds to cut benefits to retirees
Please add other toxic riders below in the comments section.
The House needs Democratic votes to pass the Cromnibus bill in the House, so the pressure is on to make them remove these destructive riders. They're expected to vote later today, so let's call them now!
Find your representative's contact info here:
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Feel free to update us on your progress and otherwise use this diary as a LiveBlog to call out and discuss other Lame Duck Session atrocities.
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