Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) offered four more amendments today to the American Rescue Plan, as the U.S. House prepares to vote again on the legislation following its passage in the Senate. Graves is the only member of the House who offered amendments to the Senate's version of the bill and offered more amendments than any other member when the bill worked its way through the U.S. House last month.

Democrats have blocked Republican attempts to amend the bill, which is on track to become law without a single Republican in either chamber voting in favor it.

"This COVID-less package is a boondoggle – Democrats could at least pretend to care whether some of this money will actually benefit those most impacted by the pandemic," Graves said. "They're ignoring the plight of Louisiana's seafood sector, skipping the opportunity to end the disparity in Social Security that disproportionately hurts our teachers, firefighters and other public servants, and leaving our energy workers in a lurch – but are about to cut stimulus checks to illegal immigrants and prisoners. Great job, guys."

Amendment 1: Revises the bill to include the Social Security Fairness Act, which repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, to ensure retirement fairness for affected retired public servants and their families.

Amendment 2: Prohibits individuals who are incarcerated on the date of enactment from receiving a recovery rebate.

Amendment 3: Prohibits anyone who is unlawfully present in the United States from receiving a recovery rebate.

Amendment 4: Creates a set aside for workers in the energy sector displaced or laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic or by Executive Orders related to U.S. energy policy.

In February when the U.S. House considered the legislation for the first time, Graves introduced more amendments to House Democrats' budget reconciliation package than any other House Member in an effort to create accountability and improve the $1.9 trillion mega-bill – which, contrary to its title, will do little to provide COVID-19 relief.

Democrats rejected all Republican amendments.