Congressman Auchincloss: An Update on the War in Israel

UPDATE ON WAR IN ISRAEL I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. On the Hill Israel Supplemental Funding Stunt: I strongly support Israel. I voted "No" on the Israel supplemental stunt, because it played politics with Israel's security with no prospect of actually providing funding to Israel. Speaker Johnson has made the craven, cynical decision to politicize support for Israel at its moment of crisis by 'paying for' its assistance with IRS cuts, which would, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, actually increase the deficit. The bill is a dead letter: the president has vowed to veto it; and both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell oppose it. Therefore, the question before me was not whether I want Israel to receive funding, because this bill will not become law. Instead, the question before me was what this bill signifies, and what a "Yes" vote would represent. A "Yes" vote would signal the advent of conditioning aid for Israel. It would be the first time in U.S history that Congress has required emergency national security funding to be offset by domestic cuts. The precedent is awful: when other countries need support, Congress provides it; but when Israel needs support, party leaders extract partisan priorities in exchange. It would not stop at this bill: the next time Israel needs support, what would stop a Republican Speaker from demanding cuts to food stamps in exchange? Or a Democratic Speaker from demanding cuts to the military's ICBM program in exchange? Israel would persistently be tossed on the seas of U.S. domestic politics. Unconditioned aid to Israel would receive supermajority support in the House, demonstrating bipartisan support for our ally, to partners and enemies alike, when it needs it most. Unfortunately, this rookie Speaker has precluded the possibility of overwhelming bipartisanship by filing a bill so clumsy and irresponsible that the Democratic president, Democratic Senate majority leader, and Democratic House minority leader have all dismissed it out of hand. I am firmly opposed to conditioning security aid to Israel, whether those conditions are based on Israeli domestic politics or American domestic politics. Support for Israel must be above partisanship. Bring the Hostages Home: Last week, I stood with the families of hostages held by Hamas. Some of the captives are children, still young enough to be scared of the dark. No ceasefire should be considered until every hostage is returned. As Israel conducts its military response, I will continue to insist that it uphold the law of armed conflict, which is meant to protect the lives of civilians, and I appreciate the Biden Administration's numerous efforts to that effect. Further, the president has requested additional funding from Congress to stabilize conditions in the Middle East, which I will support. The supplemental package proposed by House Republicans, which I opposed, did not include any humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Around the Fourth Temple Town Hall: I appreciated the opportunity to join members of Temple Beth Shalom and other RAC-MA affiliated congregations in coming together during this deeply troubling time. In addition to materiél, Israel needs moral support from Americans. Now is not the time for equivocation. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are internationally recognized terrorist organizations that are executing civilians and using their own denizens as human shields. Israel is a liberal democracy with the right and responsibility to defend itself and its citizens. Calls for ceasefire are premature and counter-productive; Israel needs the military latitude to re-establish deterrence, dismantle Hamas, and rescue hostages. In the hard months ahead, our pain and our outrage must be forged into sober determination to see Israel through to success and safety. This determination must not descend into malice. Israel's iron fist should be paired with an outstretched hand to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and, ultimately, in Gaza, as well. And the Jewish community here in the United States should always condemn and reject not just antisemitism, but Islamophobia and the cancellation of Palestinian voices, as well. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact

Congressman Auchincloss: An update covering the last 2 weeks

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your Representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Michelle, Teddy, Grace and I are thrilled to welcome Audrey to the family. On the Hill Update on the Debt Ceiling: The United States has always paid its bills on time, and Congress must ensure it continues to. Default would be devastating to the economy broadly and to retirement accounts in particular. It would also undercut American influence globally. Last week, I joined my Democratic colleagues in the House to sign a discharge petition that would allow for a vote on a clean debt ceiling increase. It would end the game of chicken that is threatening the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and convincing a handful of moderate Republicans to join remains the best option. More likely, at the time of writing, is that President Biden and Speaker McCarthy negotiate a deal that Congress then votes on. Economic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party: Last week, I participated in a hearing on economic competition with China. I spoke about the need to ensure high-quality math education, promote basic research, and improve our business and investment environment. Our economic competitiveness agenda should not aim for heavy-handed industrial policy, but rather to invest in the basics of education, science, infrastructure, and streamlined government. If we can execute, then we need not fear China's hold on the economic future. We will build it ourselves. Asserting Congressional Authority: I recently spoke on the House floor about my bipartisan bill, the Power of the Mint Act. The Federal Reserve and the Treasury have been considering issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), a crypto proposal. My bill pumps the brakes and makes it clear that any administration would need congressional approval to mint a CBDC. Pharmacy Benefit Managers Hearing: This week, I spoke about lowering prescription drug prices at the House Oversight Committee's hearing on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). PBMs are the middlemen of prescription drugs. I outlined how Congress must enact comprehensive reform aimed at PBMs to meaningfully lower costs for American families and support community pharmacists. Piecemeal legislation would just squeeze the balloon, when the objective must be to pop the gross-to-net bubble. Affordable Housing: The cost of housing is the biggest problem facing Massachusetts. I sat down with the North Star Reporter to discuss my approach. On the federal level, I am working to support supply-side solutions that expand the availability of housing, particularly through the low-income housing tax credit. We must build all types of housing, including single family, multi-family, mixed use, and accessory dwelling units. This all-of-the-above approach will drive down housing costs across the market and provide much needed relief to homebuyers. Make your voice heard → Do you think building more housing is a priority? Do you support building more housing? Around the Fourth Congressional Art Competition: Congratulations to Angela Nie of Newton North High School for winning this year's Congressional Art Competition. Scores of students and parents gathered at the Attleboro Arts Museum to view each others' work and to celebrate the judges' top picks. Angela's painting was selected from more than 60 pieces of local artwork that were submitted for this year's competition and will be featured for one year in the U.S. Capitol building. This year, the judging panel included Mim Brooks Fawcett of the Attleboro Arts Museum, Seline Smith of the New Art Center in Newton, and Robin Wessman, a painter from Sharon. Brookline's AAPI Heritage Day: I celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month at Brookline's First Annual AAPI Heritage Day. Teddy and I enjoye`d seeing dance, puppet shows, and more. Our country is made stronger through the contributions and experiences of the AAPI community. Especially in an era of tension with the Chinese Communist Party, we must not allow competition overseas to incite bigotry at home. Academy Night: I am hosting a Virtual Military Service Academy Night on June 5th from 7:00PM to 8:15PM. My staff and I, along with representatives from the five United States Service Academies, will provide information on the Congressional nomination process and what it's like to attend a U.S. Service Academy. If you are interested in joining, please register here. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact

Franklin TV: The Federal Budget & The Debt Ceiling

Congress holds the purse strings.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/14/2023

This week (Monday 11 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM) we discuss the U.S. Federal Budget on our radio program ‘More Perfect Union’. Dr. Michael Walker-Jones sent a link to this overview by David Wessel of The Brookings Institute. It’s worth a read.

When the federal government runs a deficit by spending more than it collects in revenue it borrows money to cover the difference by issuing IOUs as U.S. Treasury securities. The debt ceiling is a limit set by Congress on the amount the Treasury can borrow (Currently $31.4 trillion). The Treasury hit that ceiling in January and has been taking what are known as “extraordinary measures” to keep paying the bills. But it will run out of maneuvering room sometime in the next several months, perhaps as early as June, unless Congress acts.

There have been four Federal shutdowns where operations were affected for more than one business day. In 1995-1996, President Clinton and the Republican Congress were unable to agree on spending levels, so the government shut down twice, for a total of 26 days. In 2013, a standoff over funding for the Affordable Care Act resulted in a 16-day shutdown. And in December 2018 and January 2019, a dispute over border wall funding led to a shutdown that lasted 35 days.

Because tax revenues aren’t sufficient to cover all federal spending, the federal government borrows a lot—an average of more than $7 billion per business day. Raising the debt ceiling doesn’t increase federal spending beyond what already has been approved by Congress; it simply allows the government to pay for purchases and obligations it already has made. Because Congress in the past has always lifted the debt ceiling before the Treasury has run out of money, no one knows for sure what will happen if Congress doesn’t act this time—what the Treasury and the Federal Reserve will do, and how financial markets will react. Failure to make timely interest and principal payments on U.S. Treasury securities, regarded as the safest financial asset in the world, would be an unprecedented default and, among other things, would call into question the credibility of the U.S. government’s promises and probably raise the interest rate that investors demand to hold U.S. Treasury debt in the future.

In contrast to government shutdowns, a failure to raise the debt ceiling threatens not only the spending subject to annual appropriation by Congress, but all federal spending—including interest on the debt and Social Security, Medicare, and other government benefits. Federal employees can continue working—there is no need for agencies to decide which services are essential and which are not—but their paychecks may be delayed.

 

We know from transcripts of Federal Reserve meetings that when this issue arose in 2011, the Obama Treasury was planning to make all interest and principal payments and to delay paying all its other bills—including government benefits.

The Biden Treasury hasn’t said what it plans to do if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling in time. It is, however, likely to make interest and principal payments on Treasury debt. Whether and how it will prioritize other payments is unclear— but someone will not get paid on time; there simply won’t be enough cash to meet every obligation.

What is the connection between raising the debt ceiling and reducing the federal deficit? Legally, there is no connection, though sometimes the two issues occur close together if the Treasury bumps up against the debt ceiling close to the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30, the deadline for approving appropriations bills (even if only temporary ones).

Still, members of Congress have used the imperative of raising the debt ceiling as leverage in negotiations in Congress and with the White House over appropriation bills and, sometimes, over broader tax and spending policies. (This maneuver usually is used by members of Congress from a party other than the president’s party.) In 2011, for instance, President Obama and the Republican majority in the House reached a multi-part agreement—the Budget Control Act—just a couple of days before the Treasury ran out of cash. Among other things, it put caps on total appropriated spending and created a special congressional committee to craft a plan to reduce future deficits. The committee failed to come to agreement, triggering a series of automatic spending cuts.

The Brookings Institution is financed through the support of a diverse array of foundations, corporations, governments, individuals, as well as an endowment. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions in this report are solely those of its author(s) and are not influenced by any donors.

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IMHO:

This too shall pass. Odds are that it will be resolved timely. Neither political party wants to repeat the traumas of past shutdowns. Over the decades both parties have raised the debt limit as necessary.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin TV: The Federal Budget & The Debt Ceiling

Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update for the prior three weeks (as of 4/06/23)

LAST 3 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your Representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. First off, I'd like to wish you a happy Passover and a happy Easter for those who celebrate! On the Hill The Chinese Communist Party's Ongoing Crimes Against the Uyghur People: I participated in the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party's second hearing, where we heard chilling testimony about ongoing atrocities against the Uyghur people. As one of two dozen Jewish Representatives in the House, I know too well the consequences of failing to confront hate and mass violence. In addition to tightened sanctions and international condemnation, one important way to respond to Xi Jinping's campaign of forced sterilizations, slave labor, family separation, internment, and omni-surveillance of the Uyghur people is to increase support for Radio Free Asia, which continues in the vital mission of Radio Free Europe after the Holocaust. Radio Free Asia broke the story of Uyghur persecution and continues to broadcast radio programs and publish news and commentary for its audiences in Asia, free from censorship. Silicon Valley Bank: On Tuesday, following my request, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Fed, and the Treasury provided a Massachusetts-focused briefing to the Bay State congressional delegation regarding the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Further, I met with Dr. Susan M. Collins, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, on this issue. I expressed to regulators that Massachusetts' Main Street needs solvent small and mid-size banks to lend for housing, small business, and nonprofits. New regulations should buttress these lenders, which have been under pressure since the collapse of SVB, and the everyday Bay Staters they support. With my fellow representatives, I also emphasized that regulators need to issue actionable recommendations as part of their after-action review of their own shortcomings leading up to the collapse. TikTok: Social media companies have created a compare-and-despair culture for our children. After years without regulation, we need to get tough with all these companies – not just TikTok – and make it clear that children's mental health comes before their bottom line. It is too challenging to ask parents to go up against a trillion-dollar company - that is why we need Congress to step in. I support instituting an enforceable age limit of 16 years old for social media to empower parents, not social media companies, to ensure healthy online experiences for their children. Make your voice heard → Recent debate in Congress has raised the potential of banning TikTok. I would like to know your position on this. Do you support banning TikTok? Around the Fourth Massachusetts STEM Council: I attended the Healey and Driscoll Administration's first Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council meeting. I spoke about my excitement to continue co-chairing the Council and my commitment to legislation that expands access to superb science and math education, including grants for STEM teacher training. Brookline School Committee: I met with the Brookline School Committee and Brookline legislative delegation to speak about legislative priorities for continued student success. Supporting public education is an all-hands effort and we had a substantive conversation across federal, state and local policy. Working across levels of government is particularly important in education, where funding, requirements, and programming are often cross-cutting. Sturdy Memorial Hospital: I recently took a tour of Sturdy Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department. Sturdy Memorial Hospital has been on the frontlines of healthcare for greater Attleboro for over a century. As they grapple with a surge in demand for behavioral healthcare, I am committed to working with state and local partners to get their nurses and doctors the resources they need. Newton Virtual Roundtable: I'm hosting a virtual roundtable next week on Tuesday, April 11th from 4 PM to 5 PM. If you'd like to attend, RSVP here. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and and answering your questions about Congress. I hope to see you there. Art Competition: I'd like to invite all students from our district to join the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent. Each Congressional District selects one winner, whose art is displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The deadline to submit your artwork is April 24 at 5pm. Please see my website for full rules and guidelines. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact

An Update from Your Congressman Jake Auchincloss - March 10, 2023

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. On the Hill China Select Committee Hearing: Last week, I participated in the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party's first hearing, where we discussed the CCP's threat to America. I spoke about my belief that competing with the CCP on values starts with defending those values at home. As I said in the hearing, January 6th, 2021 was Xi Jinping's best day in office. We must heal and strengthen American democracy if we're going to advance democracy globally. You can read more about our first hearing here. Taiwan: Yesterday, I spoke about my trip to Taiwan and the need for the United States to maintain a strong partnership with the island. I met with the president, government officials of both parties, business executives, and military commanders. The trip reaffirmed that we must remain committed to standing up to the Chinese Communist Party. The United States and Taiwan should help support each other's democracies through collaboration on countering disinformation and propaganda. We should also strengthen one another's economies through increased flows of trade and investment. Specifically, we should negotiate expanded market access, common rules, and the end of double taxation on Taiwanese investment in the United States, which is especially critical as we seek to revive US semiconductor manufacturing. As the United States seeks to strengthen our position in the Indo-Pacific, let us commit to Taiwan as a long-term ally. Environmental Scorecard: I am proud to have received an "A" rating from the League of Conservation Voters for the third year in a row. As a young parent, I am focused on leaving the planet better than we found it – and my voting record in Congress reflects that. Since the start of my first term, I have been a leading proponent of offshore wind development off Massachusetts' South Coast. From supporting clean energy to expanding transit to safeguarding our water, we must protect and heal our planet. I will continue to support legislation that advances environmental stewardship and advances the clean energy transition in the 118th Congress. Make your voice heard → What do you think about offshore wind? Do you support offshore wind as a clean energy source? Around the Fourth OpusNewton Groundbreaking: Earlier this week, I attended the groundbreaking for OpusNewton, a 174-unit apartment building for middle-income older adults who don't qualify for subsidized housing, but cannot afford market-rate units. I was joined by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, State Senator Cynthia Creem, and Mayor of Newton Ruthanne Fuller in celebrating the production of more housing. We must continue to support developments like this one as Massachusetts grapples with its biggest challenge: the cost of housing. Town Halls: I'm hosting a series of three town halls tomorrow, March 11, in Milford, Attleboro, and Fall River. I look forward to the opportunity to meet you, hear your concerns, and answer your questions about Congress. You will also have an opportunity to connect with my staff to avail yourself of casework services in our office. If you'd like to attend, please see below the details and links to RSVP for each town hall. I hope to see you there. Milford Town Hall Saturday, March 11th 10:30 AM-11:30 AM Milford Town Hall 52 Main St, Milford, MA 01757 RSVP Here Attleboro Town Hall Saturday, March 11th 12:30 PM-1:30 PM Sweet Community House 44 Peck St, Attleboro, MA 02703 RSVP Here Fall River Town Hall Saturday, March 11th 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Fall River Government Center 1 Government Center, Fall River, MA 02720 RSVP Here Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update for the past 2 weeks (2/25/23)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Marking the one year anniversary of Vladimir Putin's barbaric invasion of Ukraine, I stand more committed than ever to supporting the brave Ukrainians fighting on the front lines of the free world. For as long as it takes, with whatever it takes, all the way to Crimea. On the Hill All Politics is Personal: I was delighted to speak with Valerie Biden Owens - the chair of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware - about my public service, from  the Marines to City Hall to Congress. I encouraged young people interested in politics to spend time knocking doors instead of using social media. Trip to Taiwan: This week, I traveled to Taiwan to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and other leaders in business and government. I was joined by Representatives Ro Khanna of California, Tony Gonzales of Texas, and Jonathan Jackson of Illinois. We discussed the partnership between the United States and Taiwan in semiconductor manufacturing, cross-strait security, upholding democracy, and more. In the coming weeks, I will be working on deliverables from the trip to deepen our ties in trade, military training, and disinformation prevention. On the Record: I joined Ed Harding and Sharman Sacchetti on On the Record to discuss the debt ceiling. I spoke about the need for bipartisan governance right now to ensure fiscal responsibility. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and the rest of the GOP claim to be serious about balanced budgets; however, the first bill that they passed this Congress was projected to increase the deficit by 100 billion dollars while allowing the wealthy and well-connected to evade taxes. Despite raising the debt ceiling multiple times under former President Donald Trump, the GOP is now holding hostage the full faith and credit of the United States without putting forward a coherent counter-offer. I am ready to support a deal that protects Social Security and Medicare and avoids defaulting on our debt, which would be a disaster for the economy and America's international standing. Make your voice heard → Do you think Congress should raise the debt ceiling? Do you support raising the debt ceiling? Around the Fourth New England Boat Show: Last Thursday I took my son Teddy to the New England Boat show. The recreational boating industry plays an important role in our regional economy, and I believe that marine science and technology is the most important growth edge for Southeastern Massachusetts. I'm committed to promoting jobs and businesses in this sector, and having some fun with the kids along the way. Parents for Peace: I met with Parents for Peace about the need for a public health approach to hate and extremism. Parents for Peace works to protect people from extremism, including by offering a toll-free helpline to assist with the deradicalization of a loved one from any form of extremism. They are currently working on developing an evidence-based Massachusetts Violence Prevention Model. Parents for Peace is making a difference with their critical advocacy and clinical work on one of the defining challenges of our era. MassChallenge: I recently joined MassChallenge for a panel discussion on the future of healthcare innovation. MassChallenge works to connect startups, experts, corporations, and communities to grow and transform businesses and economies. On the panel, we discussed policy opportunities to accelerate health tech innovation as well as action Congress has already taken in this space. After hearing from entrepreneurs and experts at MassChallenge, it's clear that public payers need to better partner with innovators. In healthcare, the federal government must be the ultimate impact investor. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact