CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Peter Welch (D-VT)

To create a point of order against legislation that defunds essential services for children, families, and seniors, including programs that feed hungry seniors like Meals on Wheels, Head Start and other child care assistance that allows parents to work and pay their bills, and programs that keep children safe from abuse and neglect, to give massive tax cuts to billionaires.

S.Amdt. 1661 · Senate amendment to an amendment

A Democratic amendment with 25 Democratic cosponsors · See all 27 cosponsors

Changes S.Amdt. 1717, an amendment to H.Con.Res. 14 — Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Last activity — Amendment SA 1661 not agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

Failed

The Senate voted this amendment down by voice vote, so no member's position was written down.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. Failed

What this amendment would do

This amendment was submitted by Mr. Welch and several other Senators. Its purpose is to hold our elected officials accountable by creating a point of order in the Senate against certain legislation.

Specifically, it aims to prevent the Senate from considering any bill, resolution, or amendment that gives tax cuts to billionaires (specifically taxpayers with an adjusted gross income above $1,000,000,000) while cutting or eliminating federal funding for essential programs that help children, families, and seniors.

  • Meals on Wheels
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Social Services Block Grant
  • Head Start and other child care programs
  • Prevention services for vulnerable families
  • Kinship caregivers, guardianship assistance, adoption services, foster care services, and child protective services
  • Legal services for children and families in foster care

To get around this rule and pass such legislation anyway, the Senate would need a three-fifths vote of the members.