WASHINGTON, DC – As the Senate begins consideration of S. Con. Res. 11, the Budget Resolution, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts offered several amendments on health care, taxes and national security.
“The federal budget needs to be cut in real terms, not just reductions in the rate of spending,” Roberts said. “The budget we will consider will balance over the next 10 years, ending the trillion dollar deficit the President has rung up during his tenure. This is the only way we succeed in fixing our financial house and the only way to reduce the taxes paid by hardworking Americans.”
Roberts spoke on the Senate floor about two key amendments he introduced to the Budget Resolution. Video here.
Roberts Amendment 462 repeals a portion of Obamacare that prohibits people from using their medical savings account funds to buy over-the-counter medications. This is similar to a bi-partisan, bicameral bill Senator Roberts introduced earlier this month.
“This provision of Obamacare restricts Americans’ choice and flexibility in how they manage their health care expenses and adds yet another burden on physicians,” Roberts said. “It should be repealed, and folks should be allowed to spend the funds in these accounts as they see fit.”
Roberts Amendment 352 blocks bonuses and performance awards from being given to federal employees who owe back taxes. In January, Senator Roberts introduced a similar bill.
“We learned just this week, that — according to the Internal Revenue Service — as of September 2014, 304,000 federal employees owe $3.5 billion in federal taxes,” Roberts said. “During this time of budgetary restraint, the government should not spend scarce taxpayer dollars giving bonuses to federal employees unwilling to pay their tax bill.”
Other Roberts amendments include the following:
Amendment 354: To ensure U.S. Military forces have the necessary resources to meet global threats without undue risk to the warfighter.
Amendment 540: Blocks the federal use of Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) from being used to deny treatment to a patient. Senator Roberts has been an outspoken opponent of CER and health care rationing.
Amedment 353: To provide lethal aid to Ukraine to fight Russian aggression.