Rep. Sanford Bishop Slams General Government Bill as 'Assault on Working Americans'

Criticism of the General Government Bill

• 🎯 The bill is described as an assault on working Americans, democracy, and the core responsibilities of government.
• 💡 It is characterized as serving the rich while gutting institutions relied upon by working families.

IRS Enforcement and Tax Cheats

• 💰 The bill drastically cuts the enforcement budget of the IRS, making it harder for billionaires to dodge taxes.
• ⚠️ The speaker questions how axing the IRS budget helps when hardworking Americans face higher costs and worse service.
• ⚖️ It is argued that tax laws should be changed through legislation, not by disarming the IRS and hindering its ability to pursue tax cheats.

Impact on Consumers and Agencies

• 📉 The bill slashes the budget of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and is silent on President Trump's illegal firing of FTC members.
• ⚠️ It questions how the public wins when agencies preventing unfair trade practices lose credibility and allow scams and unsafe products.
• 🚫 Similarly, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) faces budget cuts, with no mention of the president's illegal firing of CPSC commissioners.

Small Business and Clean Energy Cuts

• 📈 Support for the Small Business Administration (SBA) is slashed, making it harder for small business owners to grow and create jobs.
• 🌱 Cuts to clean energy programs that help entrepreneurs save money are also highlighted as detrimental.

Policy Riders and Election Security

• 📜 The bill is loaded with over 60 extreme policy riders, targeting reproductive rights and rolling back DC's home rule.
• 🗳️ Funding for election security grants is described as a pittance, contradicting claims of concern about election fraud.
• 🛡️ The speaker emphasizes the need for more funding for election security to upgrade equipment and harden defenses against foreign adversaries.

Conclusion and Opposition

• 👎 The bill is seen as turning its back on the people, protecting the powerful, and weakening institutions ordinary families rely on.
• 🗣️ The speaker expresses dismay and urges colleagues to vote no on the legislation in its current form.