U.S. Congressman Garret Graves introduced eight amendments to the partisan, wishlist $4.6 trillion Build Back Better (BBB) legislation. His amendments would have redirected the funding toward Louisiana-specific needs that are a federal priority.
"This legislation is going to result in us paying more to heat and cool our homes, cost more to refuel our cars, and cause job losses in Louisiana. It will defund hurricane protection and coastal restoration. Instead, we're going to drive up the deficit and give a tax break to millionaires and billionaires. These are tradeoffs I am not willing to accept and neither should you," Graves said.
Amendments that Graves introduced:
- Amendment 15 – Makes funds available to provide relief to disaster victims from duplication of benefits.
- Amendment 17 – Stops the bill from taking effect if the increased spending in the BBB will result in interest rates in excess of 5 percent.
- Amendment 19 – Stops the bill from taking effect if the increased spending in the BBB will result in inflation levels topping 10 percent.
- Amendment 21 – Authorizes 13 VA major medical facility leases.
- Amendment 23 – Makes funds available to reimburse first responders for costs associated with temporary housing in areas impacted by certain major disasters.
- Amendment 35 – Requires certification that provisions to restrict domestic energy development will not take effect if determined to result in greater dependence on Russia.
- Amendment 44 – Delays the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 for one year and requires FEMA to report to Congress on the impact of increased rates on Coastal Communities.
- Amendment 46 – Makes $5,000,000,000 available to the Economic Development Administration for the purposes of addressing unmet needs from Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta.
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