Congressman Jack Kingston - First District of Georgia

Tucked within the 2,700 page health care law enacted was $105.5 billion in automatic appropriations in an attempt to exempt the controversial bill from the annual appropriations process.  Today, Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) joined Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX) in unveiling legislation that would remove that funding and subject any future funding to congressional oversight.

“Whether or not you support the health law, we should not tie the hands of those elected to represent the people,” said Kingston.  “Funding for this law should be subject to the same process as the military, farmers, teachers, medical research and the whole host of government priorities.  That’s good government, common sense, and the way it was laid out in the Constitution.”

The law would remove all future appropriations and subject any future funding to the annual appropriations process as defined by Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution.  It cancels future transfers within government accounts and rescinds any unobligated balances for the current and past fiscal year.

Kingston intends the legislation to complement other efforts by Kingston and House Republicans to repeal and replace the law with reforms that bring down the cost of care without growing government.  To date Kingston has voted for legislation that would repeal and replace the controversial law.  He also voted separately to defund it and for a bill he cosponsored to prevent the devastating 1099 requirement.

“Some have described this bill as being like kudzu,” Kingston said.  “Being from Georgia, I know how to fight kudzu: on every front.  I’ll continue my efforts and look forward to its swift passage.”