THE LONG GAME: GOP targets non-citizen voting; Senate passes FAA bill
GOP lawmakers, including many who attempted to overturn the 2020 election results, unveiled a bill last week to prohibit non-citizens from voting in federal elections. In doing so, critics charge that the Republicans are attempting to solve a problem that does not exist. The bill, the Safeguard American Voting Eligibility (or SAVE) Act, would require voters to show proof of citizenship to cast a ballot. Such documentation would include a birth certificate or passport. However, there is no evidence that non-citizens have been attempting to cast ballots in federal elections. Indeed, according to the Brennan Center, election officials across the country referred only 30 cases for further investigation of non-citizen voting in 2016—out of more than 23.5 million votes cast. That amounts to 0.0001 percent of the total ballots cast; and even those were simply suspected, rather than proven, cases. Even Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) seemed to admit that statistics do not back up the GOP lawmakers’ case. “We all know, intuitively, that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections. But it’s not been something that is easily provable. We don’t have that number,” he said during a press conference announcing the bill. Approximately 5 to 7 percent of American citizens do not have the type of documentation called for under the legislation. “It’s just one more waste of time that the GOP is specializing in,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).
The Senate on Thursday passed a $105 billion, five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The law governing the FAA was set to expire on Friday, but lawmakers passed a one-week extension that will allow the House to act. The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 88-4. The legislation includes several provisions aimed at helping consumers. For example, airlines would be required to pay a refund to consumers for significant flight delays and the legislation would also prohibit airlines from charging extra for families to sit together. The bill also requires airlines to accept vouchers and credits for at least five years and under the bill, new technology will be deployed to prevent collisions on runways. It also would increase the number of air traffic controllers, addressing a current shortage of about 3,000 controllers.
Washington Watch is published weekly when Congress is in session. Published monthly during extended recess or adjournment.
Spotlight on Puerto Rico
House GOP Farm Bill excludes SNAP transition
The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee confirmed on Friday that his version of a new Farm Bill will not include language to pave the way for the transition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to El Nuevo Dia, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) said that his legislation would encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Island to continue formulating a “financially and operationally viable path toward” transitioning from the current Nutritional Assistance (NAP) block grant program to SNAP. Thompson, however, said that he will push for an increase in the resources available for the NAP program. The House GOP plan stands in contrast to the approach taken by Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the committee chair, has announced that her version of the Farm Bill will include a proposal calling for a transition plan of up to 10 years from NAP to SNAP. A vote by the House panel is expected on May 23.
Only 18% of federal reports include data on Puerto Rico
According to a study released last week, Puerto Rico is included in less than one-fifth of the federal government's key statistical products. The report, which was conducted by the Comptroller General’s office of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), found that Puerto Rico was included in just 81 of the 449 products produced by the 13 main offices that collect statistical data. That amounts to only 18 percent of all products, El Nuevo Dia reports. For example, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) collects data on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every three months for the states—but only once per year for U.S. territories. Likewise, the Current Population Survey, the main source for collecting data on the labor force, excludes Puerto Rico. The GAO recommends that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) undertake a process to close the data gap. The GAO report comes in response to a request made in 2022 by U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), who was then the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. “Puerto Rico's exclusion from federal statistics programs limits our ability to accurately analyze the needs of our citizens and communities and develop informed public policy decisions,” said Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González (D-PR).
Veto of salary raises leads to work stoppage by aqueduct and sewer workers
Puerto Rico’s governor vetoed a bill on Friday that would have granted monthly raises of $200 per month to employees of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA). House Bill 1894 would have authorized the increase for a five-year period. It would have been paid for by a 30% cut in contracts awarded to companies that mostly perform functions of union members, as well as managerial employees. In response, the Executive Committee of the Independent Authentic Union of Employees of PRASA approved a 24-hour work stoppage held Sunday. Residents were urged to boil water before consuming it.
View From The White House
The Biden administration plans to raise tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles from 25 percent to 100 percent this week while also raising the rate on solar panels and batteries from China.
The Department of Justice moved Friday to terminate the so-called Flores agreement, the 27-year-old court supervision of how the federal government cares for child migrants traveling alone.
As part of mental health month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced $46.8 million in funding to promote youth mental health, grow the behavioral health workforce and strengthen recovery support.
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