Democrats’ Reckless Taxing-And-Spending Spree Is Stuffed With Billions Of Dollars In Special Interest Giveaways, Earmarks, And Waste

Included In Democrats’ Massive Spending Bill Are Tens Of Billions Of Dollars For Public Housing And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Has ‘Pledged To Use All Of [His] Power’ To Steer A Large Portion Of That Money To The ‘Scandal-Plagued’ New York City Housing Authority

“Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is on track to nab billions of dollars for New York public housing repairs in President Joe Biden's social infrastructure and climate package — a victory that's triggering criticism from left-leaning housing experts and GOP lawmakers alike. The latest version of the $1.75 trillion plan includes $65 billion to shore up government-built apartments across the country, accounting for 43 percent of the $150 billion housing portion of the bill. Democratic aides expect much of it will go to the New York City Housing Authority and its estimated $40 billion repair backlog.” (“Schumer Scores Billions For New York's Decaying Public Housing,” Politico, 11/10/2021)

• “The $65 billion allocation is 63 percent more money than Biden proposed for public housing in the spring. After Biden released a plan with $40 billion for improvements, Schumer vowed in April that it would be among his “No. 1 priorities” to double that figure and direct money to the New York City Housing Authority.” (“Schumer Scores Billions For New York's Decaying Public Housing,” Politico, 11/10/2021)

REP. GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY): “Sen. Schumer played a significant role.” (“Schumer Scores Billions For New York's Decaying Public Housing,” Politico, 11/10/2021)

SEN. PAT TOOMEY (R-PA), Senate Banking, Housing, And Urban Affairs Committee Ranking Member: “Certainly looks a lot like Sen. Schumer securing a $40 billion earmark. Or should we call it the Schu-mark? … It looks like half of all the bill’s public housing dollars will go to a housing authority plagued by scandals, bribery and chronic mismanagement.” (“Toomey Takes Aim At Schumer's Spending Windfall For NYC Public Housing,” The Hill, 10/21/2021)

Schumer Declared That ‘One Of My Number One Priorities In Any Infrastructure Package’ Is To Fight For Tens Of Millions More In Public Housing Funds And Called On HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge ‘To Prioritize … NYCHA’

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “It will take massive federal re-investment to bring NYCHA back from the brink. President Joe Biden recognized the need for this kind of investment when he included $40 billion for public housing in his American Jobs Plan. But it’s just not enough to address this crisis. I have proposed we at least double that amount to $80 billion in order to address the crisis in New York City and fully fix public housing around the country. I have pledged to use all of my power as majority leader, alongside my New York colleagues in the House of Representatives, to secure a funding package that can restore and transform NYCHA.” (Sen. Schumer, Op-Ed, “NYCHA Needs Big Money For Major Progress,” City & State New York, 9/21/2021)

• SCHUMER: “[W]ith the help of my fellow elected leaders in New York … I am announcing today that one of my number one priorities in any infrastructure package is to double down on the President’s original proposal and fight for at least $80 billion in new funds to meet the capital repairs needs of Public Housing Agencies across the country, especially those of NYCHA.” (Sen. Schumer, Press Release, 4/18/2021)

“In a major announcement alongside a broad collation of housing advocates, tenants, and electeds, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, today, unveiled a push for at least an $80 billion dollar investment in federal public housing funds via the just-proposed American Jobs Plan. Schumer said after decades of disinvestment, bad management and federal neglect, NYCHA and all its residents face a now-or-never moment to secure critically-needed investments via the American Jobs Plan. Schumer said the administration’s plan calls for $40 billion dollars for the whole nation—but that number is just not enough given the mammoth needs of public housing properties across the country, particularly here in New York. Schumer said he is going to fight to at least double that proposal to $80 billion dollars …” (Sen. Schumer, Press Release, 4/18/2021)

• “In December of 2020, Schumer asked then-Rep. Marcia Fudge, who now oversees HUD, to prioritize woefully underfunded NYCHA.” (Sen. Schumer, Press Release, 4/18/2021)

Yet ‘The New York City Housing Authority Has Been Derided By Residents As One Of The Worse Slumlords In The Country’ And ‘One NYCHA Scandal After Another Has Exploded’ In Recent Years

“Toomey is worried about the prospect of sending tens of billions of dollars to a city housing authority that has been plagued by controversies A 2017 report by New York City’s Department of Investigation found what it called ‘a culture of misconduct, employee mistreatment and favoritism’ at NYCHA, including employees drinking while on the job and having sexual relationship with subordinates. And in a 2018 lawsuit against the housing authority, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman charged that city officials had made extensive efforts to cover up the squalid living conditions of low-income tenants, who were plagued by lead paint, vermin, broken elevators and lack of heat. The deteriorating conditions in New York’s public housing buildings has been a hot political topic among low-income voters in the state for years.” (“Toomey Takes Aim At Schumer's Spending Windfall For NYC Public Housing,” The Hill, 10/21/2021)

“The New York City Housing Authority has been derided by residents as one of the worse slumlords in the country — a reputation earned by years of dilapidation and disinvestment at the city, state and federal levels. … One NYCHA scandal after another has exploded on Mayor Bill de Blaiso’s watch: broken boilers in the dead of winter, pipes and paint laced with lead and mold, elevators out of service stranding the elderly in their homes — much of which the authority had tried to cover up when investigators came knocking. Conditions were so bad that in 2019 a federal court mandated a monitor be called in to oversee reforms.” (Politico, 8/14/2020)

“The litany of problems facing public housing residents in New York City — mold, lead paint, faulty boilers and leaky roofs — just got longer: claims of staff sex parties. The entire 40-person staff of a housing development in the Bronx was reassigned… after residents complained that some workers had been drinking and having sex on the job. Male and female supervisors at Throggs Neck Houses engaged in erotic activities with their subordinates for months — both inside and outside the buildings, said Monique Johnson, the president of the development’s resident association.” (“Claims of Staff Sex Parties: New Troubles for Public Housing,” The New York Times, 8/27/2018)

One Texas Democrat Whose Skepticism Of The Bill Helped Delay House Passage Won A 13,100% Increase In Funding For An Obscure Regional Commission Covering His Texas District

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) Was ‘Among The Lawmakers With Lingering Concerns About Provisions In The Package’

“House Democratic leaders are escalating the pressure on lawmakers still withholding their support for President Biden's economic agenda … A handful of House moderates are still balking at some of the policy provisions contained in the massive $1.75 trillion package of safety net benefits and climate programs that Biden has sought to pass for months. The concerns surround issues as diverse as immigration, emissions and tax cuts for high-income regions around the country.” (“Democratic Leaders Amp Up Pressure On Holdouts Of Biden Agenda,” The Hill, 11/04/2021)

• “‘I think that's why they're putting some more votes on the floor, to try to convince some people to [support Biden's agenda],’ said Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). ‘We thought we were done, but there's more votes.’ Cuellar, a Blue Dog Democrat, is among the lawmakers with lingering concerns about provisions in the package. For Cuellar, the issue pertains to methane emissions — an issue with relevance in his south Texas district — which he wants to be handled through regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency, not with laws passed by Congress…. Cuellar … said it would be ‘difficult’ to win over all the holdouts in time to stage a vote Thursday night. He declined to specify how many moderates remain in that category, but said it's enough to prevent even the rule on the bill from passing if it's brought to the floor without resolving those outstanding issues. ‘How do we get their attention?’ he said. ‘By voting no on the rule.’” (“Democratic Leaders Amp Up Pressure On Holdouts Of Biden Agenda,” The Hill, 11/04/2021)

Cuellar Boasted Last Year That He Secured Some Funding For The Southwest Border Regional Commission, Which ‘Is Not Active’ And Had Never Been Funded Since Its Creation In 2008

CRS: “The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) was created with the enactment of the … 2008 farm bill (P.L. 110-234) … The SBRC has not received an annual appropriation since it was created and is not currently active…. Until FY2020, the SBRC had never received annual appropriations and is not active. For FY2021, however, the SBRC was appropriated $250,000 for the first time.” (“Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Structural Features and Function,” Congressional Research Service, R45997, 4/29/2021)

“Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) secured $250,000 in federal funding for the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC), the first time since its authorization in 2008, in the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill.” (Rep. Cuellar, Press Release, 7/13/2020)

• REP. HENRY CUELLAR (D-TX): “The Southwest Border Regional Commission was created to address the economic challenges faced by communities along the border. However, the SRBC lacks the necessary federal funding to address these challenges. That’s why I worked hard to secure this initial funding for the Commission …” (Rep. Cuellar, Press Release, 7/13/2020)

Every county in Rep. Cuellar’s current congressional district (Texas 28) is in the Southwest Border Regional Commission. (“Current Districts Plans in Effect for 2020 Elections,” Texas Redistricting Website, Accessed 12/03/2021; “Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Structural Features and Function,” Congressional Research Service, R45997, 4/29/2021)

Buried On Page 1057 Of Democrats’ Massive Spending Bill Is A Provision Granting $33 Million To The Southwest Border Regional Commission, A Staggering 13,100% Increase In Funding From 2020

PAGE 1057: “SEC. 110020. SOUTHWEST BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Southwest Border Regional Commission for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $33,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2031, to carry out activities authorized by subtitle V of title 40, United States Code.” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117–18, 11/03/2021)

Cuellar ‘Ultimately Voted For The Bill’

“A trio of Texas Democrats, Reps. Henry Cuellar, Vicente Gonzalez and Filemon Vela, had concerns about how the bill’s methane fee would impact oil and gas producers in their state, but they ultimately voted for the bill. Cuellar said he is hopeful it will get removed in the Senate …” (“House Passes Budget Package After Cost Concerns Abate,” Roll Call, 11/19/2021)

• “Rep. Henry Cuellar said [November 4^th] that he and fellow Democrats representing south Texas remain concerned about the budget reconciliation package’s impact on the oil and gas sector, but indicated he will rely on the Senate to make the changes they’re seeking. ‘Anything that affects the energy industry I do have a problem with, but again, looking ... at the possibility that we are going to change some things in the Senate, I will vote to move the ball forward,’ Cuellar told CNN.” (“Cuellar Wants Senate To Ease Spending Bill's Energy Provisions,” CQ News, 11/04/2021)

In One Of Their Most Egregious Favors, Democrats Created An Above-The-Line Tax Deduction For Union Dues, While Failing To Extend One For Charities

“Section 138514. Allowance of Deduction for Certain Expenses of the Trade or Business of
Being an Employee. This provision allows for up to $250 in dues to a labor organization be claimed as an above-the-line deduction. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021.” (“Build Back Better Act — Rules Committee Print 117-18 Section-By-Section,” U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules, 11/03/2021)

PAGES 1955-1956: “SEC. 138514. ALLOWANCE OF DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES OF THE TRADE OR BUSINESS OF BEING AN EMPLOYEE.
(a) ABOVE-THE-LINE DEDUCTION FOR UNION DUES.—Section 62(a)(2) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘(F)  UNION DUES.— The deductions allowed by section 162 which are both—‘(A) not in excess of $250, and ‘(B) attributable to a trade or business consisting of the performance of services by the taxpayer as an employee if such deductions are for dues paid to a labor organization described in section 501(c)(5) and with respect to which such taxpayer remained a member through the end of the taxable year.’
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021.” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117-18, 11/03/2021)

Yet Their Bill Would Also Allow The Above-The-Line Charitable Tax Deduction To Expire At The End Of This Year

There is no extension of the above-the-line charitable tax deduction, which allows taxpayers taking the standard deduction to deduct charitable contributions, in House Democrats’ tax proposals. (Joint Committee on Taxation, JCX-46-21, 11/19/2021; U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, “Markup of the Build Back Better Act,” Accessed 9/23/2021)

“Five provisions discussed in this report expire at the end of 2021…. Three provisions that were first enacted in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) and originally scheduled to expire in 2020 have been extended through 2021: (1) the charitable deduction for nonitemizers …” (“Temporary Individual Tax Provisions ("Tax Extenders"),” Congressional Research Service, R46772, 4/26/2021)

• “Individuals may take a charitable deduction if they itemize deductions on their tax returns. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) provided for a deduction for cash donations for nonitemizers of up to $300 through December 31, 2020. That is, taxpayers can deduct these amounts even if they elect the standard deduction. This provision was extended through December 31, 2021, by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted as Division EE of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260).” (“Temporary Individual Tax Provisions ("Tax Extenders"),” Congressional Research Service, R46772, 4/26/2021)

Democrats Also Included A $1.67 Billion Bailout For Journalists

“If the $2.2 trillion social safety net and climate package makes it through the Senate, where it faces a stiff challenge, it will provide $1.67 billion over the next five years for newspapers, websites, radio and TV stations, and other outlets that primarily cover local news. If eligible, they could reap up to $25,000 for each locally focused journalist they employ in the first year and $15,000 in each of the next four.” (“Local News Outlets Could Reap $1.7 Billion in Build Back Better Aid,” The New York Times, 11/28/2021)

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD: “The Democrats’ … budget bill features tax breaks for countless progressive causes, but one buried in the fine print is a doozy. The House Ways and Means Committee voted [in September] to subsidize journalists. Congress wants to subsidize the only institution less popular than . . . Congress…. A federal subsidy would do more harm than good. Subsidies from Washington conflict with the democratic mission [Sen. Ron] Wyden [D-OR] describes, which requires an independent press. Local papers in the mold of left-leaning National Public Radio stations wouldn’t serve a politically diverse public. Most Americans already mistrust the press, and making journalists more dependent on government will compound the suspicion of bias.” (Editorial, “A Democratic Dole for the Press,” The Wall Street Journal, 12/02/2021)

And Of Course They Threw In A $2.5 Billion ‘Tax Break For Trial Lawyers’

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD: “The House Democrats’ 2,100-page budget bill is chock full of goodies for liberal special interests, and one of the worst is a tax break for their dear friends in the plaintiffs bar. While raising taxes on businesses, Democrats want to subsidize more frivolous lawsuits against business. … Under the House bill, trial attorneys nationwide would be allowed to deduct contingency-fee expenses ‘disregarding the possibility that such amount will be repaid.’ The bill also says ‘income attributable to any related recovery shall not be reduced by such amount.’ The deduction would cost $2.5 billion over a decade, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. By reducing trial lawyers’ legal costs, it would effectively subsidize contingency-fee cases. Lawyers will be more likely to file dubious lawsuits and drag out cases if they can immediately deduct their expenses. This is a direct income transfer to plaintiffs' lawyers, who will turn around and finance Democratic election campaigns. It’s the definition of a corrupt political bargain.” (Editorial, “A Tax Break for Trial Lawyers,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/7/2021)

PAGE 1970: “EXPENSES IN CONTINGENCY FEE CASES.—In the case of any amount paid or incurred in the ordinary course of the trade or business of practicing law the repayment of which is contingent on a recovery by judgment or settlement in the action to which such amount relates—(1) the deduction under subsection (a) shall be determined by disregarding the possibility that such amount will be repaid, and (2) income attributable to any related recovery shall not be reduced by such amount.” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117–18, 11/03/2021)

Meanwhile, Under Democrats’ Mammoth Spending Bill, Two-Thirds Of Millionaires Would See A Significant Tax Cut Next Year

“Most millionaires would get a tax cut under House Democrats’ reconciliation plan, according to a new analysis that’s sure to get lawmakers’ attention. About two-thirds of people making more than $1 million would see a tax cut next year averaging $16,800, the Tax Policy Center said Thursday. That’s primarily because Democrats are proposing to lift to $80,000, from $10,000, an annual cap on state and local tax deductions.” (“Most Millionaires Could Get Tax Cut Under House Dems' Tax Plan,” Politico, 11/11/2021)

• JASON FURMAN, Former Obama Administration Council of Economic Advisors Chairman: “Congress adding a SALT expansion to Build Back Better is even worse than I had feared. Under the bill: 36% of those making up to $200,000 get a tax cut ($1,994 average tax cut) 66% of those making over $1 million get a tax cut ($16,760 average tax cut)” (Jason Furman, @JasonFurman, Twitter, 11/11/2021)

• COMMITTEE FOR A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET: “This week, the Tax Policy Center (TPC) released new estimates for how the Build Back Better Act will affect the tax burden of individuals at various points along the income spectrum. … However, because Build Back Better would raise the $10,000 cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, it would cut taxes for the majority of very wealthy families as well. According to TPC, two-thirds of households making over $1 million per year would receive a tax cut under the Build Back Better Act. More than three-quarters of households earning between $500,000 and $1 million would also receive a tax cut, as would two-thirds of those earning between $200,000 and $500,000.” (“Two-Thirds of Millionaires Get a Tax Cut Under Build Back Better, Due to SALT Relief,” Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, 11/12/2021)

The Joint Committee On Taxation Confirms Democrats’ Spending Bill Would Give More Than Two-Thirds Of Millionaires A Tax Cut Next Year

“A new analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation found that the SALT provisions would give two-thirds of people making more than a million dollars a tax cut.” (“Democratic Heartburn Grows Over Middle Class Tax Provision That Also Benefits The Wealthy,” NBC News, 11/18/2021)

According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, 69 percent of taxpayers earning over $1 million would receive a tax cut in 2022. (Joint Committee on Taxation, 11/15/2021)

Nearly 90 percent of taxpayers earning between $500,000 and $1 million would receive a tax cut in 2022. (Joint Committee on Taxation, 11/15/2021)

Raising The SALT Deduction Cap To Give Millionaires Tax Cuts Is The Second-Most Expensive Item In Democrats’ Multitrillion Dollar Spending Plan

“The measure would allow households to increase their deduction from state and local taxes from $10,000 to $80,000 through 2026, and then impose a new deduction cap through 2031. It’s the second-most expensive item in the legislation over the next five years, more costly than establishing a paid family and medical leave program, and nearly twice as expensive as funding home-medical services for the elderly and disabled, according to an analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.” (“The Second-Biggest Program In The Democrats’ Budget Gives Billions To The Rich,” The Washington Post, 11/16/2021)

• “The rich are poised to gain more from the SALT cap increase than lower-income people are from other elements of the bill, such as the child tax credit. According to the CRFB, a household in D.C. making $1 million a year would benefit 10 times as much from the SALT cap as a middle-class household would from extending the increased child tax credit for one year, which would provide an extra $1,600 for children under 6 and an extra $1,000 for older children.” (“The Second-Biggest Program In The Democrats’ Budget Gives Billions To The Rich,” The Washington Post, 11/16/2021)

“Raising the SALT cap would more than offset other tax increases for the wealthy in 2022, according to a report from the Tax Foundation.” (“The Second-Biggest Program In The Democrats’ Budget Gives Billions To The Rich,” The Washington Post, 11/16/2021)

• THE TAX FOUNDATION: “In 2022, however, the tax increases on high earners are more than offset by a more generous SALT deduction cap, which mostly accrues to households with higher incomes.” (“Build Back Better Act: Details & Analysis of Tax Provisions in the $1.75 Trillion Reconciliation Bill,” The Tax Foundation, 11/05/2021)

Democrats Included Tens Of Billions Of Dollars To Create An FDR-Style ‘Civilian Climate Corps’

“Back in April, Representative Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Civilian Climate Corps with Senator Ed Markey. Over the past several months, Representative Ocasio-Cortez has been fighting to ensure that key provisions from the bill were included in the Build Back Better Act. Build Back Better funds Civilian Climate Corps through a combined investment of $30 billion in both personnel and project funding. The creation of a new Civilian Climate Corps would create 300,000 green jobs …” (Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Press Release, 11/22/2021)

• “A NEW CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS has become a central progressive demand for the Democrats’ budget reconciliation package, and party leaders seem poised to go along. Climate groups and elected officials alike see it as a combination of several top priorities: a tangible response to climate change, a broad-based jobs program aimed especially at young people and people of color, and a test case for Franklin Delano Roosevelt-style populism that President Biden is so eagerly trying to emulate.” (“Democrats Unify Behind Climate Corps, Vague on Details,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/23/2021)

Even Advocates Admit The Scheme Will Do Little To Nothing About Climate Change: ‘It Just Doesn’t Measurably Reduce Emissions’

SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE (D-RI): “To be clear, I support a Civilian Climate Corps. It just doesn’t measurably reduce emissions.” (“Dems Fear Chopping Block For EJ, Lead Pipes, Climate Corps,” E&E Daily, 10/06/2021)

Democrats Are Pushing Their Make-Work Climate Corps At A Time When The U.S. Has Near-Record Job Openings And ‘Employers Are Still Struggling To Fill Millions Of’ Them

“Employers are still struggling to fill millions of open jobs — and to hold on to the workers they already have…. There were 10.4 million job openings in the United States at the end of September. That is down a bit from the record 11.1 million posted in July ... [D]emand for labor remains extraordinarily high by historical standards — before the pandemic, the record for job openings in a month was 7.6 million in November 2018. The Labor Department revised its estimate of job openings in August to 10.6 million. There were roughly 75 unemployed workers for every 100 job openings in September, the lowest ratio on record.” (“The Number Of U.S. Workers Quitting Their Jobs In September Was The Highest On Record,” The New York Times, 11/12/2021)

“The U.S. economy has had more than 10 million open jobs since June, an extraordinary stretch of imbalance in the labor market that also includes record numbers of workers quitting their jobs. As of Nov. 5, there were a projected 11.2 million U.S. job openings, according to estimates from the jobs site Indeed, exceeding 7.4 million unemployed workers in the U.S. labor force last month…. Total job openings have been well above their pre-pandemic peak—about 7.5 million in November 2018—since February, when Covid-19 vaccinations initially ramped up and the U.S. economy started to more broadly reopen. Many of the open jobs are in warehousing, shipping and consumer-facing retail, a trend that is likely to be supercharged by the holiday shopping season and strong consumer demand…. The glut of open positions isn’t expected to abate in the near term, as businesses compete for workers for the holiday season.” (“Record Quitting Fuels Tight Job Market,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/12/2021)

• “A shortage of bus drivers has forced school districts to combine routes. A lack of servers has caused restaurants to reduce hours. And you may have noticed that the checkout lines at supermarkets, drugstores and other retailers have grown.” (“Where Are the Workers?,” The New York Times, 10/20/2021)

• “Warnings have come already from companies in several industries, including healthcare, with hospital operator HCA Healthcare Inc saying higher labor costs seen in the third quarter could stick around longer because of a shortage of workers. Domino's Pizza cited a shortage of drivers as it reported recently a rare fall in U.S. sales, and FedEx Corp also cited higher labor costs in September when it cut its full-year forecast.” (“No End In Sight For Labor Shortages As U.S. Companies Fight High Costs,” Reuters, 10/26/2021)

‘Democrats Envision A Corps That’s Part Green-Jobs Program, Part Behavioral Hectoring Squad, Part Social-Justice Brigade, And Part Union-Recruitment Effort’

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD: “As the U.S. recovers from a pandemic, with workers in services and manufacturing in short supply across the economy, here’s what no one sensible thinks America urgently needs: a huge new federal Civilian Climate Corps. Yet that’s exactly what Democrats want to create as part of their plan to expand government into every corner of American life. It isn’t enough to lecture Americans about the supposed perils of climate change. Now they also want to tax you and other Americans to pay your children to spend years lecturing you.” (Editorial, “A New National Climate Army,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/26/2021)

• “Like so many other ideas in this Administration, the idea comes from the Democratic left, specifically the Sunrise Movement and Evergreen Action. Their idea was adopted by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, who have proposed a Climate Corps that employs 1.5 million Americans over five years. The precedent is FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps, which paid Americans to work when the jobless rate was more than 20% in the Depression.” (Editorial, “A New National Climate Army,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/26/2021)

• “The White House says the Climate Corps would ‘put a new, diverse generation of Americans to work conserving our public lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, and advancing environmental justice.’ Democrats envision a Corps that’s part green-jobs program, part behavioral hectoring squad, part social-justice brigade, and part union-recruitment effort.” (Editorial, “A New National Climate Army,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/26/2021)

They Also Plan To Spend $2.5 Billion On ‘Activities To Increase Tree Equity’

PAGES 17-18: “SEC. 11003. STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.
(a) APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to remain available until September 30, 2031— … (2) $2,500,000,000 to provide multi-year, programmatic, competitive grants to a State agency, a local governmental entity, and agency or governmental entity of the District of Columbia, an Indian Tribe, or a nonprofit organization through the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance program established under section 9(c) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105(c)) for tree planting and related activities to increase tree equity and community tree canopy and associated societal and climate co-benefits, with a priority for projects that benefit underserved populations …” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117-18, 11/03/2021)

And $29 Billion ‘That Is Meant To Fund A National Green Bank’

REED HUNDT, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital: “We applaud the House passage of the Build Back Better Act, which includes the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that is meant to fund a national green bank.” (Coalition for Green Capital, Press Release, 11/19/2021)

PAGES 335-338: “SEC. 134. GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION FUND. (a) APPROPRIATIONS.—(1) ZERO-EMISSION TECHNOLOGIES.—In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administrator for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $7,000,000,000… (2) ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE SUPPLY EQUIPMENT.—In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administrator for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,000,000,000… (3) GENERAL ASSISTANCE.—In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administrator for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $11,970,000,000… (4) LOW-INCOME AND DISADVANTAGED COM MUNITIES.—In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administrator for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $8,000,000,000… (5) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administrator for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $30,000,000…” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117–18, 11/03/2021)

• PAGE 339: “(2) INDIRECT INVESTMENT.—The eligible recipient shall provide funding and technical assistance to establish new or support existing public, quasi-public, or nonprofit entities that provide financial assistance to qualified projects at the State, local, territorial, or Tribal level or in the District of Columbia, including community- and low-income-focused lenders and capital providers.” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117–18, 11/03/2021)

Plus $10 Billion In Tax Credits To Colleges And Universities To Indoctrinate Students In ‘Environmental Justice’

PAGES 1571-1578: “SEC. 136601. QUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROGRAM CREDIT….
‘(a) ALLOWANCE OF CREDIT.—In the case of an eligible educational institution, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for any tax able year an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amounts paid or incurred by such taxpayer during such taxable year which are necessary for a qualified environmental justice program….
‘(b) QUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROGRAM.—For purposes of this section—
‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The term “qualified environmental justice program” means a program conducted by one or more eligible educational institutions that is designed to address, or improve data about, qualified environmental stressors for the primary purpose of improving, or facilitating the improvement of, health and economic outcomes of individuals residing in low-income areas or areas that experience, or are at risk of experiencing, multiple exposures to qualified environmental stressors….
‘(c) ELIGIBLE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘eligible educational institution’ means an institution of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 or 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965) that is eligible to participate in a program under title IV of such Act….
‘(C) ALLOCATION LIMITATION.—The total amount of credits that may be allocated under the program shall not exceed— ‘(i) $1,000,000,000 for each of taxable years 2022 through 2031 …’” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117–18, 11/03/2021)

There’s Also $1 Billion For ‘Improving Climate Resilience And Climate Adaptation’ Of Pacific Salmon

PAGES 892-893: “SEC. 70202. PACIFIC SALMON RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $1,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, for the purposes of supporting the restoration and conservation of Pacific salmon and steelhead populations and the habitat of those populations, including by improving climate resilience and climate adaptation, and for related administrative expenses.” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117-18, 11/03/2021)

And There’s Billions More Dollars For The Federal Government To Buy Luxury Electric Vehicles

According to the U.S. General Services Administration, the FY2021 GSA Fleet Alternative Fuel Vehicle Guide includes electric Sport Utility Vehicles up to $97,000. (U.S. General Services Administration, Alternative Fuel Vehicles Guide, Accessed 12/03/2021)

PAGE 936: “SEC. 80001. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION CLEAN FLEETS. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administrator of General Services for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,995,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, for the procurement of zero-emission and electric vehicles and related costs.” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117–18, 11/03/2021)

PAGES 936-937: “SEC. 80003. UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE CLEAN FLEETS. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the United States Postal Service for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the following amounts, to be deposited into the Postal Service Fund established under section 2003 of title 39, United States Code: (1) $2,573,550,000, to remain available through September 30, 2031, for the purchase of electric delivery vehicles. (2) $3,411,450,000, to remain available through September 30, 2031, for the purchase, design, and installation of the requisite infrastructure to support electric delivery vehicles at facilities that the United States Postal Service owns or leases from non-Federal entities.” (H.R. 5376, Rules Committee Print 117–18, 11/03/2021)