Key Vote NO on the House Appropriations Minibus, H.R. 4502

On behalf of FreedomWorks’ activist community, I urge you to contact your representative and ask him or her to vote NO on the House Appropriations Minibus, H.R. 4502. This massive $617 billion package combines seven of the federal government’s twelve annual spending bills.

Contained in this monstrous package are radical left-wing social and environmental justice priorities and a dramatic increase in the size and scope of the federal government. Lawmakers have a responsibility to their constituents to reject this irresponsible collection of spending and defend fiscal conservatism.

At the forefront of this spending package is progressive climate change priorities. If passed, the Interior, Environment, and related agencies section would balloon to $43.4 billion, a more than 20% increase; included in this increased cost is $248 million in “environmental justice” programs. The bill’s $29.1 billion Financial Services section would also send a whopping $300 million to the Electric Vehicle Fund.

Despite years of subsidies and tax credits, electric vehicles remain an expensive luxury purchased only by the financially well-off. While everyday Americans are struggling with a dramatic rise in gas and grocery prices, politicians instead focus on propping up luxury vehicles.

This spending package puts left-wing priorities ahead of the needs of everyday Americans who are looking to shrink the role of government in their lives. Lawmakers in Washington must look to solutions that create more freedom and opportunity by getting the government out of the way rather than continue the tired tax and spend policies.

A tremendous example of the freedom-centric policy innovations that lawmakers should be embracing involves bridging the digital divide. This package includes $800 million for the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program to increase access to broadband in rural communities. An exciting alternative solution is the use of opportunity zones with Rep. Kat Cammack’s (R-Fla.) Gigabit Opportunity Act. The Gigabit Opportunity Act would support rural broadband development by amending the tax code to authorize the designation of qualified gigabit opportunity zones in low-income communities and to provide tax incentives for investments in these zones. Freedom and opportunity are far better options than bloated government spending.

This oversized spending package is, unfortunately, par for the course in the swamp. Our elected officials must vote against this disastrous legislation that promotes out-of-touch left-wing priorities and increases the size of government.

FreedomWorks will count the vote for H.R. 4502 on our 2021 Congressional Scorecard and reserves the right to score any amendments, motions, or other related votes. The scorecard is used to determine eligibility for the FreedomFighter Award, which recognizes Members of the House and Senate who consistently vote to support economic freedom and individual liberty.

Sincerely,

Adam Brandon
President, FreedomWorks