{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-roy-and-schweikert-fight-cut-slush-fund-created-debt-ceiling-deal", "Reps. Roy and Schweikert fight to cut \u201cslush fund\u201d created by debt ceiling deal", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Representatives Chip Roy (TX-21) and David Schweikert (AZ-01) are leading a group of lawmakers in fighting to eliminate a $22 billion \u201cslush fund\u201d created by the debt ceiling deal negotiated this summer that will be used to massively increase federal spending.\n\nRoy and Schweikert\u2019s bill \u2013 The Eliminate Congressional Slush Funds Act \u2013 would rescind the $22 billion the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) allocated to the Department of Commerce Nonrecurring Expenses Fund, while ensuring the rescission does not enable additional funding beyond spending caps.\n\nDuring negotiations on the FRA, a side-deal was hatched to use budget gimmicks and rescissions to allow for $54 billion in additional spending above the discretionary spending caps established by the bill. A significant portion of that side deal depends on the existence of this slush fund.\n\nRepresentative Roy said, \u201cAppropriators have long used sleight of hand to hide the actual level of spending included in massive appropriations bills.\n\nUnfortunately, that practice is alive and well. Indeed, negotiations on the Fiscal Responsibility Act included a well-known \u2018side deal\u2019 that would allow for an additional $54 billion in spending beyond the caps set by the bill, made - in part - possible by giving $22 billion to a fund at the Department of Commerce that will be reallocated during the appropriations process.\n\nHouse Republicans should reject this side deal and ensure we stick to the caps set by the FRA without the use of budget gimmicks. That's why I am proud to introduce this bill with my friend Representative David Schweikert to rescind the $22 billion and prevent it from being funneled behind the scenes.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Schweikert said, \u201cEvery dime that Congress votes on now is on borrowed money. With our government currently borrowing over $80,000 every second, we must make it our moral obligation to solve our nation's debt crisis before it's too late. While the Fiscal Responsibility Act's passage marked the largest deficit reduction in American history, budget gimmicks allowed for billions in additional spending above the caps. The Eliminate Congressional Slush Funds Act ensures that this body cannot abuse unobligated COVID relief funding which was rightfully clawed back and deposited into Treasury. It's past time Washington kicks its spending addiction and starts taking our fiscal reality seriously.\u201d\n\nCo-sponsors of the legislation include Representatives Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Scott Perry (PA-10), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Dan Bishop (NC-08), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Tom Emmer (MN-06), and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14). The legislation is also supported by Heritage Action for America.\n\nRead the full bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-roy-and-schweikert-fight-cut-slush-fund-created-debt-ceiling-deal"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7130561172962189, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}