CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratAmendment · S.Amdt. 1998· Senate(119-SAMDT-1998)

S.Amdt. 1998

Rep. Wyden
Age: 77 years
Oregon
Introduced
4/4/2025
Sponsored by
Ron Wyden
Cosponsors
None
Changes bill
119-HCONRES-14 — Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Wyden, creates a point of order in the Senate against certain reconciliation legislation. In plain English, it sets up a rule that stops Congress from passing a budget reconciliation bill unless that bill guarantees certain funding.

The Purpose of the Amendment

The purpose is to make sure our elected officials do not leave rural counties hanging when it comes to essential public services.

Specifically, the amendment aims to add a rule that prevents the Senate from considering certain bills unless they meet the following requirement:

  • Provide mandatory, permanent, and stable funding to every county government for essential services.
  • Ensure the funding level is equal to or greater than the average amount the county received from the Secure Rural Schools program and payments in lieu of taxes programs between fiscal years 2001 and 2023.

If a bill fails to support rural counties at that level, a Senator can raise a point of order against it. Overcoming this rule requires a three-fifths vote of all sworn Senators to waive it or to appeal a ruling from the Chair.