Al Franken

The tax cuts in this bill will keep more money in the hands of American businesses and consumers, where it can be invested into the economy, thus spurring economic growth. Unfortunately, however, the bill does not address federal spending, which needs to be reined in via other legislation.

Federal involvement in natural disaster relief is not only unconstitutional, but also wasteful, inefficient, ineffective, and often harmful. Disaster relief is much better handled by states, counties, and local communities, coupled with volunteer efforts from across the country.

Would cut $43 billion in federal budget authority in fiscal 2018.

The U.S. Constitution does not authorize the federal government to get involved in healthcare, and all government meddling causes more healthcare problems, such as rising healthcare costs.

The U.S. Constitution does not authorize the federal government to get involved in the Internet, which operates best without intrusive government regulation.

Would establish new sanctions and expand certain existing sanctions on Russian, Iran, and North Korea.

Would have expired the expansion of Medicaid, prohibited tax credits for healthcare plans that provide abortion coverage, banned federal funds for abortion, and repealed the ObamaCare mandates.

Confirms President Trump's appointment of John Kenneth Bush to the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

To "affirm" that the U.S. remains "fully committed" to NATO.

Would impose new sanctions on Iran and Russia, and codify sanctions imposed by the Obama administration on Russia.

Would provide $1.16 trillion in discretionary appropriations through September 30, 2017.

Would nullify a HHS rule that prevents states that distribute federal family planning funding from prohibiting receipt of funds by abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood.

The United States should stay clear of entangling alliances such as NATO. Moreover, NATO also obligates that the United States go to war if any member of NATO is attacked, which undermines the provision in the U.S. Constitution that assigns to Congress the power to declare war. Montenegro, which was part of communist Yugoslavia during the Cold War era, is now one of 28 countries the United States is obligated to defend under NATO.

Since the power of wildlife management was not granted to the federal government by the Constitution, it is reserved to Alaska and the other 49 states according to the 10th Amendment.

Would nullify a Social Security rule that outlines reporting information on individuals to the FBI's firearm background checks system (NICS).

Would nullify the "Stream Protection Rule" issued in 2016 by the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

The rapid projected growth in future spending for social "entitlement" programs under current law is unsustainable due to both the declining ratio between workers and Social Security recipients, and also the fact that people are living longer. Plus, there is no constitutional authorization for these programs. Those who genuinely want to help the needy should recognize that the best way to do it is to phase out government social-welfare programs in favor of private alternatives.

Would remove $9.7 trillion worth of new debt and balance the budget by 2024.