House GOP’s Financial Services Appropriations Bill Cuts Election Security, Undoes Consumer Protections

This week, the House is expected to consider the FY 2019 Financial Service and General Government appropriations bill as part of a two-bill minibus. This Republican bill zeroes out election security grants, rolls back Dodd-Frank consumer protections, and includes radical Republican poison pill riders. A full summary of the minibus is available here. Some of the worst provisions of the Financial Services and General Government division include that it:

• Zeroes out election security grants. Despite new evidence of Russian interference in our elections, the Republican bill zeroes out funding for grants that help states fortify and protect their election systems from cyber-hacking.

• Rolls back consumer financial protections. The Republican bill includes numerous provisions, including the full text of 29 authorizing bills, which undermine the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform and hurt hardworking families.

• Attacks women’s health care. The Republican bill includes numerous riders that make it harder for women in the District of Columbia and across the country to afford reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion.

• Undermines democracy in the District of Columbia. The Republican bill includes numerous riders that prevent the District of Columbia from using its own funds to adopt and implement its own legislation.

• Weakens campaign finance laws. The Republican bill includes provisions that block the Securities and Exchange Commission from enforcing rules on disclosure of corporate political contributions.

• Breaks the Bipartisan Budget Act. The Republican bill declines to spend its full allocation and instead directs $585 million to a black hole account referred to as the Fund for America’s Kids and Grandkids.