Freedom Index 115-4

The Constitution does not authorize the federal government to subsidize food or agriculture. Moreover, food subsidies have done little to lift people out of poverty, and farm subsidies have caused market distortions as the government essentially picks winners and losers in the food production industry.

To reaffirm the U.S. commitment to NATO.

The federal government needs to start reining in climbing federal spending (and deficits) somewhere in order to avert fiscal disaster.

Much of this spending falls outside the federal government's constitutionally delegated powers. The unconstitutional spending includes federal social-welfare programs such as food and farm subsidies and housing subsidies (under HUD). Also, lumping multiple appropriations bills together, as opposed to voting on them separately, reduces lawmakers' accountability.

To prohibit federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

Medicare and Medicaid are both unconstitutional programs. The U.S. Constitution gives no authority to the federal government to pay people's medical expenses, no matter how poor or disabled they are. Such assistance should be handled by states, charity, or the free market. Any expansion of Medicare or Medicaid, which is what this bill authorizes, should be voted against.

Would provide $855.1 billion in discretionary funding for fiscal 2019.

Reauthorizes appropriations for the FAA and TSA, as well as $1.7 billion for Hurricane Florence disaster relief.

Would nullify the rule from the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and HHS that would expand the duration of short-term health insurance plans.

To advance Senate Joint Res. 54, which would remove U.S. Armed Forces from "hostilities" in Yemen that have "not been authorized by Congress."