Pocan Releases List of 37 Actions House Should Take Instead of Voting on 37th Repeal of Health Care Reform

Press Release

Today, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released a list of 37 actions the House should take up to create jobs and support middle class families rather than waste time on a 37th vote to repeal access to health care for millions of Americans.

"From promoting economic growth, to passing a responsible national budget, to making college more affordable, the House should be working night and day to support middle class families and to help get Americans back to work," said Pocan. "Instead, Republican leadership seems determined to waste valuable floor time on a 37th vote to turn back the clock to when health insurance companies could deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition and millions of families had lifetime limits on their coverage. The people of Wisconsin and of this great nation deserve better. Congress must redirect our focus away from partisan pandering and toward efforts to strengthen American families and communities."

Below is a list of 37 bills and action items the House should be working on instead of voting for the 37th time to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

Eliminate the Sequester
Appoint Budget Conferees to Pass National Budget
Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling
Paycheck Fairness Act
Mandatory Background Checks for Gun Purchases
Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform
DISCLOSE Act -- requires disclosure of political expenditures by corporations and lobbying groups
BE SAFE Act -- Strengthens Military Sexual Assault Enforcement
Address the Veterans Affairs Claims Backlog
Put America Back to Work Now Act
Pass Comprehensive Farm Bill
Invest in American Jobs -- Strengthen Buy American Requirements for Investments in Infrastructure Projects
Employment Non-Discrimination Act --Prohibits employment discrimination based on perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity
Paying a Fair Share Act --Codifies the Buffett Rule, requiring a 30% minimum effective tax rate for taxpayers with incomes over $1 million
Reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Reauthorize the Higher Education Act (HEA)
Building our Clean Energy Future Now Act -- Provides grants for public transportation projects to reduce emissions without raising prices or cutting services.
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act
Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act -- Allows same-sex partners of military couples the same benefits as heterosexual partners
Student Non-Discrimination Act -- Prohibits discrimination or bullying of students based on perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity
Fair Minimum Wage Act
Postal Service Protection Act
Make it in America Manufacturing Act of 2013 -- Provides competitive grants for public-private partnerships to promote American manufacturing.
Increases benefits to Veterans to keep up with cost-of-living changes
GI Bill Tuition Assistance
Bring Jobs Home Act -- Eliminates tax deductions for expenses of companies moving jobs overseas, and provides a new tax credit for companies bringing jobs back to America.
Child Tax Credit Permanency Act
Safe Schools Improvement Act -- Requires local educational agencies to establish policies that prohibit bullying and prevent hostile learning environments.
Healthy Families Act
Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act
Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act
Water Resources Development Act
End Big Oil Subsidies Act
BREATHE Act
Taxpayer and Gas Price Relief Act
Excellence in Mental Health Act
Respect for Marriage Act

Source