Despise: to “feel contempt or a deep repugnance for” according to Merriam-Webster. Liberal lion Elizabeth Warren presumably feels exactly that for bills like H.R.861 and H.R.899. Those are real bills introduced in the new 115th Congress — the first one proposes to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency. The second seeks to do away with the Department of Education — and all of its Pell Grants, etc. (It’s possible Warren would not be sad about one consequence of this: Betsy DeVos would no longer be the country’s top education official.)
Warren — broadly an advocate for a clean environment, sensible gun control, and a system that provides all citizens with a right to good public education — will oppose these bills with all she’s got. Here are 5 bills that represent what Senator Warren likes least about the legislative priorities of the new Congress. Her opposition to these help define her position as much as anything she hopes to pass herself.
H.R.367 – Hearing Protection Act of 2017 — this bill makes it easier and cheaper to acquire a silencer — or sound suppressor — for a firearm. Because hunting? Introduced by Rep. Jeff Duncan [R-SC-3]
H.R.610 – To distribute Federal funds for elementary and secondary education in the form of vouchers for eligible students and to repeal a certain rule relating to nutrition standards in schools. This is the hotly disputed voucher program, which critics say annihilates the core of the American public education system, privatizing much of it and leaving too many kids behind. Also, a change in calories requirement in school lunches. Introduced by Rep. Steve King [R-IA-4]
H.R.899 – To terminate the Department of Education. Pretty simple: “The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2018.” But why wait so long, Rep. Thomas Massie [R-KY-4]?
H.R.861 – To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency. Another bill that doesn’t mince words. Goes like this: “The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2018.” Though many Americans, including Sen. Warren, fear the Education Department as we know it will cease to function long before that, Rep. Matt Gaetz [R-FL-1] introduced his bill do demolish it at the end of 2018.
H.J.Res.10 – Authorization of Use of Force Against Iran Resolution. The sole bill among the five to be introduced by a Democrat — Rep. Alcee L. Hastings [D-FL-20] — this bill signals follow-through on the Trump campaign characterization of the “Iran Nuclear Deal” as a bum steer for America. The multilateral Iran deal reached last year had as its goal the prevention of Iran’s obtaining nuclear weapons capability. This bill allows the president to authorize a pre-emptive strike on suspicion of Iran’s renewed nuclear ambition. Warren supported the Iran deal negotiated by John Kerry and the Obama administration.
