2015 Budget Riders
OUR POSITION: Congress should pass a clean spending bill with no riders.
In October, Congress and the White House agreed to a framework for the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2016. This budget agreement set the overall government funding levels, but it is not the final appropriations bill. If a final omnibus appropriations bill does not pass before Dec. 22, the government may shut down.
Left out of the budget agreement were any decisions about policy riders. Policy riders are little more than sweetheart deals for big corporations and special favors for ideological extremists. Specifically, they would deny women access to the health care provider of their choice; block safeguards that protect our homes, pocketbooks and workplaces; lower standards that keep our food, air and water safe; and much more.
Ideological riders have no place in the appropriations process. They are unpopular and controversial with voters in both parties. And by sneaking them into must-pass budget legislation, lawmakers are trying to avoid a real debate and showing that Congress isn’t looking out for regular Americans.
Take Action
Twitter Hashtags: #CleanBudget #NoRiders
Sign the Petition: Tell Congress to Pass a Clean Budget
Tell Congress: Keep Anti-Environmental Riders Out of Budget and Spending Bills
Urge Congress to Protect the Dietary Guidelines from Industry Influence
Letters to Lawmakers
U.S. House of Representatives Letter
Campaign Finance Riders Letter
Dietary Guidelines Riders Letter
Financial Policy Riders Letter
Immigration/Reproductive Freedom Riders Letter
Lists of Riders and Fact Sheets
Dietary Guidelines Riders
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Environmental Riders
League of Conservation Voters
Environmental Riders
Natural Resources Defense Council
Environmental Riders
The Wilderness Society
Financial Reform Riders
Americans for Financial Reform
Labor Riders
AFL-CIO & AFSCME
Lung Health Riders
American Lung Association
Coalition Op-Eds and Newspaper Editorials
Congress Should Reject Gutting Fair Housing Rule with Riders
The Hill: December 16, 2015
Joe Rich and Thomas Silverstein, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Letter from Concerned Westerners to the National Leadership
The Hill: December 15, 2015
Ashley Korenblat and Pamela D. Alfred
Protect Kids’ Health – Reject Dangerous Policy Riders
The Huffington Post: December 14, 2015
Harold Wimmer, American Lung Association
Unwanted Gifts from Congress Could Hurt Science, Health
The Hill: December 14, 2015
Ken Kimmell and Andrew Rosenberg, Union of Concerned Scientists
Mich. Reps Must Help Protect Kids’ Health
Lansing State Journal: December 14, 2015
Ken Fletcher, American Lung Association
Congress Should Stand Strong for Financial Reforms that Protect Montanans
Helena Independent Record: December 14, 2015 (syndicated)
Montana Sen. Tom Facey (SD-50)
Protect Our Lungs and Economy
The Virginia Pilot: December 13, 2015
Deborah Brown: American Lung Association
Colorado’s Congressional Delegation Must Help Protect Children’s Health
Grand Junction Sentinel: December 13, 2015
Tyler Svitak, American Lung Association
Paul Ryan Can Lead on a New Path
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: December 12, 2015
Henry Henderson, Natural Resources Defense Council
Enough Is Enough
The Hill: December 11, 2015
Dana Singiser, Planned Parenthood
Another Budget Deadline
The Baltimore Sun: December 10, 2015
Editorial
Sen. Coons Is Right: Laws Should Not Be Passed in the Dark
Delaware Online: December 8, 2015
Darlene Battle, Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement & Rashmi Rangan, Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, Inc.
Republicans Attempt to Weaken Consumer Financial Protections
Al Jazeera America: December 8, 2015
Dean Baker, Center for Economic and Policy Research
Goodwill Towards Wildlife Is Lacking in Congress
The Huffington Post: December 8, 2015
Jamie Clark, Defenders of Wildlife
How I’d Rein in Wall Street
The New York Times: December 7, 2015
Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State
A Gift From Congress, to Congress
The New York Times: December 4, 2015
Editorial
Republicans Serving Up Endangered Species for the Holiday Season
The Hill: December 3, 2015
Brett Hartl, Center for Biological Diversity
McConnell’s Campaign Finance Riders
The Hill: December 3, 2015
Daniel Weiner & Ivan Vandewalker, Brennan Center for Justice
The G.O.P.’s Worst Budget Riders
The New York Times: December 2, 2015
Editorial
Tester Should Protect Montanans from Wall Street Schemes
Billings Gazette: December 1, 2015
Montana State Sen. Tom Facey (SD-50)
Don’t Let Wall Street Get Away With Dodd-Frank Reform Rollbacks
BillMoyers.com: November 30, 2015
Dennis Kelleher, Better Markets
Sacrificing the District to Keep the Federal Government Running
The Washington Post: November 29, 2015
Editorial
The Risk in Rolling Back Wall Street Reform
Bloomberg: November 25, 2015
Jacob Lew, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury
Congress Seeks to Strip Protections from Gray Wolves and Other Endangered Species
The Huffington Post: November 24, 2015
Marjorie Mulhall, Earthjustice
An Opportunity for Sen. Warner to Protect Consumers
The Hill: November 23, 2015
Sandra Cook, Virginia Organizing
Congress: Fund Our Government Without Clogging Our Lungs
The Hill: November 23, 2015
Stephanie Maddin, Earthjustice
Let’s End the Dysfunction
North Dallas Gazette: November 22, 2015
U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas)
Must-Pass Spending Bill No Place for Controversial Riders
The Huffington Post: November 20, 2015
Minister Leslie Watson Malachi, People for the American Way
Don’t Let Congress Hurt Consumers on the Sly
Grand Forks Herald: November 19, 2015
North Dakota State Rep. Joshua Boschee (D-Fargo)
Congress Must Act to Reduce Dust Health Risk
The San Diego Tribune: November 18, 2015
Jessica Martinez, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health
A Showdown Over Policy Riders Could Still Trigger a Shutdown
The Huffington Post: November 16, 2015
Gene Karpinski, League of Conservation Voters & Robert Weissman, Public Citizen
Budget Shenanigans Put Clean Water Rules in Jeopardy
The Huffington Post, November 12, 2015
Chris Espinosa, Earthjustice
The Hill: November 11, 2015
Marty Hayden, Earthjustice
Keep the Toxic Bitters Out of the Budget Cocktail
The Hill: November 4, 2015
Lisa Gilbert, Public Citizen
Wall Street’s Sneak Attack
U.S. News & World Report: November 2, 2015
Jim Lardner, Americans for Financial Reform
Federal Budget Held Hostage
Philadelphia Inquirer: October 23, 2015
Rev. Robert Shine, People for the American Way
Shutdown Charade Hurts Science
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: October 23, 2015
Neal Lane & Andrew Rosenberg, Union of Concerned Scientists
Who Benefits from Fewer Protections for Wildlife?
The Roanoke Times: September 20, 2015
Jamie Rappaport Clark, Defenders of Wildlife
Taking the Path to Shutdown
The Daily Herald: September 17, 2015
Editorial
Budget ‘Rider’ Would Protect Secret Money in Elections
The Baltimore Sun: August 12, 2015
Lisa Gilbert, Public Citizen
Inappropriate Appropriations
The Huffington Post: July 7, 2015
Jamie Rappaport Clark, Defenders of Wildlife
News Clips and Columnist Analysis
Banks Strike Out in Omnibus
The Hill: December 16, 2015
Congress’ Budget Deal Halts Political Disclosure Efforts
The Washington Post: December 16, 2015
How the Budget Deal Opens the Door Even Wider for Secret Money in Politics
Los Angeles Times: December 16, 2015
Mitch McConnell Loses Campaign Finance Budget Fight
The Huffington Post: December 16, 2015
Congress Ties Controversial Cybersecurity Bill To Key Spending Package
The Huffington Post: December 16, 2015
What’s Inside Congress’s Huge New Spending Bill?
The Atlantic: December 16, 2015
Omnibus Edition: Dems Block Riders
Politico: December 16, 2015
The House GOP’s Under-the-Radar Oil Coup: The Dangerous Domestic Bailout That They’re Almost Certain to Win
Salon: December 15, 2015
Rider Fight Awaits Spending Bill’s Release
The Hill: December 14, 2015
Congress Races Toward Holiday Under Pressure to Deliver Spending Bill
The New York Times: December 14, 2015
House Averts Government Shutdown — For 5 Days
The Huffington Post: December 11, 2015
Congress Gives Itself a 5-Day Extension to Solve This Whole Budget Thing
New York Magazine: December 11, 2015
Tech Companies Urge Congress to Drop Fight Against Net Neutrality Rules
Ars Technica: December 11, 2015
Proposed House and Senate Bills Would Roll Back Worker Protections
In These Times: December 10, 2015
Pro-Logging “Rider” Bill Would Allow Clear-Cutting in US National Forests
Truthout: December 10, 2015
Factbox: Host of ‘Riders’ Piggyback on U.S. Congress Spending Bill
Reuters: December 10, 2015
Senate Extends Deadline Again to Prevent Government Shutdown
The Huffington Post: December 10, 2015
Are We Headed Toward Another Government Shutdown?
USA Today: December 9, 2015
Congress Seeks to Extend Shutdown Deadline into Next Week
CNN: December 9, 2015
House Republicans Introduce 5-Day CR as Negotiations Continue
Roll Call: December 9, 2015
Mikulski: ‘Poison Pill’ Riders, Taxes Drag Down Omnibus Talks
Roll Call: December 8, 2015
White House Blasts GOP Effort to Slow Investor Rule in Omnibus
The Hill: December 8, 2015
Pelosi, Republicans See Spending Talks Stall as Deadline Looms
The Hill: December 8, 2015
There’s a Long List of Issues Standing Between Congress and a Funded Government
DailyKos: December 8, 2015
GOP Seeks Curbs in Obama Environmental Agenda in Budget Bill
Associated Press: December 7, 2015
White House Warns Funding Delay Would Hurt National Security
The Hill: December 7, 2015
Top House Republicans Admit Congress May Need Short-Term Bill to Avoid Shutdown
CNN: December 7, 2015
Don’t Forget, There’s Another Government Shutdown Scheduled for Friday
Vanity Fair: December 7, 2015
Pressure Mounts for a Year-End Spending Deal
The Washington Post: December 7, 2015
Talks Stall as Shutdown Deadline Nears
Politico: December 7, 2015
Environmental, Other Riders Threatening Omnibus Talks
Bloomberg BNA: December 4, 2015
Congress Is About to Gut a Depression-Era Law to Help Wall Street
The Huffington Post: December 4, 2015
Pelosi Calls GOP Budget Plan ‘Tea Party Wish List’
Politico: December 3, 2015
Democrats Oppose New Effort to Loosen Campaign Finance Rules
The Huffington Post: December 3, 2015
Dem Raises Warning Over TV Ownership Rider Sneaking Into Spending Bill
The Hill: December 3, 2015
GOP, Dems Battle Over Riders as Deadline Nears
The Hill: December 2, 2015
White House: GOP Is Threatening Government Shutdown
The Hill: December 2, 2015
House Democrats Reject Republican Spending Bill Offer
The Huffington Post: December 2, 2015
House Democrats Lean Toward Rejecting GOP Omnibus Offer
Roll Call: December 2, 2015
House Dems Reject First GOP Government-Funding Bill
Politico: December 2, 2015
Congress Reconvenes to Nail Down Budget, But Obstacles Arise
Boston Globe: December 1, 2015
The GOP’s Insidious Christmas List: How Congressional Republicans Are Planning to Screw the Country This Holiday Season
Salon: December 1, 2015
Syrian Refugees Bill Could Be Inserted in Omnibus
The Hill: December 1, 2015
Provision Killing Net Neutrality Threatens Must-Pass Spending Bill
The Huffington Post: December 1, 2015
As a Deadline Looms, Paul Ryan Finds Himself in a Boehner-Like Spot
The New York Times: November 30, 2015
Congress Reconvenes to Nail Down a Budget Before Deadline
The New York Times: November 30, 2015
Congress Has a List of Deadlines, Is Checking It Twice
Roll Call: November 30, 2015
The Refugee Distraction
Slate: November 30, 2015
McCarthy Predicts No Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood
The Hill: November 30, 2015
Congress Faces Raft of Issues in Spending Deadline to Avoid Shutdown
USA Today: November 29, 2015
$1.1 Trillion Federal Budget Laden with Riders
Associated Press: November 28, 2015
GOP Rider Would Boost Party Spending
Politico: November 25, 2015
Lobbyists, in Strategy Session, Conclude That Refugee Crisis “Helps Us” Defeat Regulations
The Intercept: November 24, 2015
Syria Refugee Fight Emerges as Government Shutdown Threat
The Hill: November 23, 2015
America’s Leaders are Hurting the Nation’s Image
The Washington Post: November 22, 2015
The Five Things That Could Still Force a Government Shutdown
The Washington Post: November 20, 2015
Averting a Shutdown
Politico: November 20, 2015
House Democrats Renew Call for ‘Clean’ Omnibus
Morning Consult: November 19, 2015
Rider Fights Heat Up as Congress Grapples with Highway Bill
The Hill: November 18, 2015
Ryan Looks to Detangle Refugee Fears from Omnibus
E&E Publishing: November 18, 2015
The Hill: November 17, 2015
The GOP’s Devious Wall Street Welfare Plan: Why the Future of the Economy Hangs in the Balance
Salon: November 17, 2015
House Speaker Paul Ryan Warns of Budget, Guantanamo Confrontations with White House
The Wall Street Journal: November 17, 2015
Brinkmanship Over ‘Riders’ Hangs Over Omnibus Talks
E&E Publishing: November 16, 2015
Environmental Riders on Omnibus Coming Into Focus
Bloomberg BNA: November 13, 2015
Senate Sets Up Path Forward on Spending
The Washington Post: November 10, 2015
The Budget Battle Isn’t Over. It’s Just Beginning.
The Washington Post: November 5, 2015
GOP Readying for End-of-Year Spending Fights
Politico: November 5, 2015
Paul Ryan’s Plan for a Budget: Let Every Republican Decide
The Huffington Post: November 5, 2015
House Republicans Eye Targets Beyond Planned Parenthood
The Wall Street Journal: November 5, 2015
Congress Faces Hurdles: Hello Policy Fights on Spending Bill, Bye Budget Goodwill
The Associated Press: November 4, 2015
After Bipartisan Budget Deal, Congress Again Talking Shutdown
The Hill: November 4, 2015
Now the Hard Part: Resolve Policy Fights on Spending Bill, Avoid Holiday Season Shutdown
The Associated Press: November 3, 2015
Budget Deal Offers Way to Sneak Through Financial Changes
USA Today: November 3, 2015
The Government Shutdown Threat Has NOT Been Defused. And That Poses a Big Test for Paul Ryan.
The Washington Post: October 30, 2015
Reid: Democrats Would Stop a Rider-Riddled Omnibus
Roll Call: October 30, 2015
The Battle of the Budget Isn’t Over
The American Prospect: October 29, 2015
Democrats United Against Omnibus Riders — Reid
E&E Publishing: October 28, 2015
White House Says Looks Forward to Passing Budget ‘Without Ideological Riders’
Reuters: October 28, 2015
Get Your Ideology Out of Federal Budget, 178 Groups Say to Congress
Common Dreams: September 10, 2015
Coalition Releases and Statements
Congress Shouldn’t Fill This Prescription: Spending Bill Policy Riders Are Poison Pills
Clean Budget Coalition: December 11, 2015
Senate Democrats Warn Against Anti-Environmental Riders in Omnibus, Secure Votes to Sustain Presidential Veto
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.): December 3, 2015
Lawmakers Should Reject Ryan’s Poison Pill Riders
Public Citizen: December 2, 2015
Budget Fights Threaten the Most Vulnerable Millennial Families
Center for American Progress: November 30, 2015
Clean Budget Coalition Applauds House Members Who Have Joined Together in Opposing Policy Riders
Clean Budget Coalition: November 19, 2015
Members of the House Democratic Caucus Join Public Interest Groups to Call on House Leadership to Bring a Clean Spending Bill to the Floor
U.S. House Democratic Caucus: November 19, 2015
Media Alert — It’s Not Over Yet: Ideological Policy Riders Could Still Derail the Budget
Public Citizen: October 30, 2015
Schumer, Stabenow, Progressive Leaders Tell Congress to Pass a Clean Budget With No Ideological Riders That Fully Funds Middle-Class Priorities
Clean Budget Coalition: October 20, 2015
Congressman Grijalva Leads 91 Members of Congress in Telling Administration to “Veto Extinction”
Defenders of Wildlife: September 28, 2015
178 Groups Call on President and Congress to Oppose Spending Bills With Policy Riders
Clean Budget Coalition: September 10, 2015
President Obama Should Veto Funding Cuts That Would Harm American Workers
Public Citizen: August 5, 2015
House Republicans Pull Interior/EPA Appropriations Legislation
Sierra Club: July 9, 2015
Congress Aiming to Cut Conservation and Harm Wildlands
The Wilderness Society: July 1, 2015
Statement on Department of Interior and EPA Appropriations Markup
Sierra Club: June 18, 2015
LCV Statement FY16 Senate Interior Appropriations Bill Mark Up
League of Conservation Voters: June 18, 2015
Senate Interior Appropriations Bill is Another Attack on the Nation’s Wildlife and Public Lands Heritage
Defenders of Wildlife: June 18, 2015
House Interior Appropriations Bill is Riddled with Harmful Anti-Environmental Riders
Defenders of Wildlife: June 16, 2015
LCV Statement on Congressional Committee Mark-Ups of the Interior-EPA Appropriations Bill
League of Conservation Voters: June 15, 2015
Letters to the Editor
Gamesmanship by Republicans Threatens Clean Water Rule
Chicago-Sun Times: December 11, 2015
Where Smoking Persists
The New York Times: November 30, 2015
Congress Should Stop Playing Games with Budget, EPA
Arlington Sun Gazette: November 18, 2015
Clean Power Plan: Reject Attempts to Block New Rules
The Missoulian: November 17, 2015