June 2019
CNP Action, Inc. presents the June edition of Heard Around the Hill . This monthly publication provides updates and news about what is happening on Capitol Hill, plus events and projects sponsored by Conservative groups around the country.

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House Considers Spending Bill, H.R. 2740
Today, the House is debating and voting on amendments to the spending bill, H.R. 2740 , which is five appropriations bills rolled into one. With its nearly one trillion dollar price tag, it busts spending caps. It also contains numerous poison pills, i.e. eliminates the Title X Rule, the Mexico City Policy and prevents withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. The House is expected to vote and pass this bill next week. It is unlikely to move in the Senate, however, and the Trump Administration has publicly opposed the bill with a Statement of Administration Policy .

The House will consider another spending bill once this has been voted on. It, too, will consist of several appropriations bills.
Last Monday, June 3, the Conservative Action Project (CAP) released a Memo for the Movement entitled Don't Let the Swamp Win: President Trump & Congress Must Restrain Spending in Upcoming Budget Deal . To view other CAP memos, click here . Please feel free to reproduce, publish or quote from these memos, or any part thereof. No attribution to CAP or any of the signers is necessary.
Also of note, and to remind the American people that conservatives have real solutions for preserving American freedom for this generation and those thereafter, the Republican Study Committee published a FY2020 budget, Preserving American Freedom , (this was the ONLY budget produced by Congress this year) and The Heritage Foundation made public their Blueprint for Balance: A Federal Budget for FY 2020 .
Senator Hawley Vets Judicial Nominee
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO)
The Senate is confirming judicial nominees steadily (here is a judicial-nominations update from the Judicial Crisis Network ); however, a few weeks ago they had a hiccup on the nomination of Michael S. Bogren to be a judge in the Western District of Michigan. Here is a video of Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) questioning Mr. Bogren about an analogy he made between practicing Catholics and the Ku Klux Klan.
The Conservative Action Project (CAP) released a Memo for the Movement entitled Conservatives Oppose the Nomination of Michael S. Bogren . Over 70 conservative leaders signed onto this memo and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) used it to justify his opposition to Mr. Bogren.

Congressman Gaetz Calls a House Judiciary Committee Hearing Witness a 'Prop'
On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Lessons from the Mueller Report: Presidential Obstruction and Other Crimes. Among the panel of witnesses was former White House Counsel John Dean. In case you missed it, Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL-1) held nothing back when questioning Mr. Dean. Congressman Gaetz said, "You are functionally here as a prop. Because [the Democrats] can't impeach President Trump because 70 percent of Democrats want something that 60 percent of Americans don't. So they're in this no-win situation and you sit before us here with no knowledge of a single fact on the Mueller Report on a hearing entitled, 'Lessons from The Mueller Report.'" To watch this interaction, click the video above.

To learn more, here are two articles:


CPI Offers Haggerty-Richardson Fellowship: Application Deadline - August 1
Do you know of a promising young conservative professional who is interested in maximizing their influence in the conservative movement as a leader, philanthropist and engaged citizen? If so, please encourage them to apply for the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) Haggerty-Richardson Fellowship. From October 23-25, fellows will be exposed to seminars that discuss the inner workings of the House and Senate, meet and talk with key conservative influencers and gain a critical understanding of the behind-the-scenes efforts of the conservative movement in Congress. To learn more and apply, please click here.
Federal Judge Issues Extraordinary
Ruling on Project Veritas
Project Veritas' Attorney Jamie Dean and
Project Veritas Founder and President James O'Keefe
Project Veritas won a trial on a Directed Verdict. James O’Keefe and his investigative group, Project Veritas, were sued for defamation for an undercover video published in 2016. But, according to United States District Judge Martin Reidinger, the plaintiff’s case was based on “the thinnest of thin reads.” Lawyers were shocked when the judge added “… if I've gotten this wrong, and the Fourth Circuit says that this is not what the law is, I hesitate to think where the First Amendment is going in this country.” The trial’s outcome was a stunning defense of the free press.

Here is a summary of the case from when the trial began and here are some tweets of the trial highlights.
Carbon Taxes: A No Go
On June 5, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) launched a new video, Carbon Tax Scheme Explained, outlining how a carbon tax works and how the costs are inevitably passed onto consumers through higher energy costs. Last summer, a small number of Republicans in Congress introduced a carbon tax bill, and in recent months, lobby campaigns advocating for such a tax have intensified.

On June 24, CEI will host a lunch briefing "The Case Against Carbon Taxes." It will take place from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Russell Senate Office Building, Room SR-385. All are welcome.
Americans for Tax Reform is currently circulating a coalition letter against carbon taxes. If you would like to sign on, please email Mike Palicz at mpalicz@atr.org.
CWA Celebrates 40 Years in September
Join Concerned Women for America on September 12 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Trump International Hotel as they celebrate 40 years as the nation's largest public policy women's organization. Click here for more information and to register.
The next Heard Around the Hill will be issued on July 10. If you would like to submit information to be included in this publication, please send your submission to Sherri Francescon before COB on Friday, July 5. 

CNP Action, Inc. is the section 501(c)(4) sister organization of the Council for National Policy, an educational organization founded in 1981. CNP Action, Inc. does not support candidates or political parties, but it may promote issues or specific pieces of legislation. This newsletter is for informational purposes and does not necessarily represent the opinion of CNP Action, Inc. or its constituents. 
Sherri D. Francescon
Managing Director, CNP Action, Inc.