Congressional Update from U.S. Congressman Andy Barr

Opposing the Big Government Socialist Bill

Congressional Democrats are pushing a multi-trillion-dollar big government socialist tax, borrow and spending bill.  I am opposing this radical package.  This agenda proposes a crushing tax hike to the tune of $1.2 trillion on small businesses and job creators that will kill U.S. jobs and make it better to be a foreign company than an American one.

Additionally, the proposal includes a new tax on retirement plans that hurt workers and seniors by punishing businesses that invest in their own stock.  Finally, the bill proposes a generational expansion of the welfare state, with incentives for people to stay home rather than return to work amid a historic labor shortage that is contributing to a supply chain crisis.

Awarding Congressional Gold Medal to Servicemembers Killed at HKIA

On Monday, I proudly supported legislation awarding a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to each of the thirteen fallen U.S. military servicemembers killed in a terrorist attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021.  The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed this bill.  These American heroes died protecting American citizens and our Afghan allies fleeing the terrorist Taliban government and other terrorist actors in Afghanistan.

Pushing a Clean Extension of Domestic Violence Programs

This week, I voted for a clean extension of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act programs offered by Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R-LA).  The Letlow proposal mirrored legislation Congress has passed with overwhelming bipartisan support for over three decades. 

Congress should honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month by renewing the authorization for these critical programs without paving the way for eliminating the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer funding of abortions.

Renewing Key Opioid Grant to Save Lives

Last week, I voted to extend the State Opioid Response grant program and provide $1.75 billion annually in additional resources to help people in recovery from substance use disorder.  Last year, opioid overdose fatalities increased by nearly 30% nationally and 53% in the Commonwealth. 

The State Opioid Response grant program was first established in the Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2018. Since then, it has bolstered rehabilitation providers throughout the Commonwealth with over $85 million in block grants to support patients in recovery and healthcare heroes performing life-saving work. 

You can find out more about the resources offered through the State Opioid Response grant program here.  Our work to defeat the scourge of addiction throughout our nation is not done, and I am grateful for all that treatment and recovery providers do to save lives and strengthen our Commonwealth on a daily basis.

Giving Local Governments Flexibility to use Unspent COVID-19 Relief for Infrastructure Projects

I am cosponsoring and pushing the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act in Congress.  This legislation gives flexibility to state and local governments to use unspent COVID-19 relief funds for infrastructure projects.  The legislation recently passed the U.S. Senate unanimously.  Kentucky has over $1.1 billion in unspent COVID-19 relief funds. 

I want to provide our local leaders with the flexibility to use unspent COVID-19 relief funds for projects their communities need most.  Infrastructure is a real need.  We must upgrade our roads, bridges, airports, wastewater treatment facilities and other traditional infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth.  This commonsense proposal provides the opportunity to do just that without a massive tax increase, more blowout spending or new government mandates.

Sincerely,

Congressman Andy Barr