Donalds: “If We Did Not Have The Crushing Entitlements Of Social Security, Medicaid, And Medicare, Would The US Even Have A Deficit Or Debt Problem!?” According to Donalds’ Twitter, “If we did not have the crushing entitlements of Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, would the US even have a deficit or debt problem!?” [Twitter, @ByronDonalds, 2/2/10]
Donalds Said Social Security And Medicare Would Need To Be Reformed “For The Longer-Term Fiscal Outlook Of The Country.” According to the Wall Street Journal, “Rep. Byron Donalds (R., Fla.) said that while Social Security and Medicare are off the table for the debt-ceiling talks, that doesn’t mean that Republicans won’t propose changes down the road. ‘When it comes to the debt ceiling, nobody is talking about Social Security and Medicare, nobody. Full stop,’ Mr. Donalds said. ‘Now, for the longer-term fiscal outlook of the country, there are reforms that are going to have to be made in those programs,’ he said.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/2/23]
2012: Donalds Said He Would Support Privatizing Social Security And Medicare In The Form Of A “Private Account” Or A Voucher “Because That’s Exactly What It’s Gonna Be: A Voucher.” 2012: Donalds Said He Would Support Privatizing Social Security And Medicare Or Turning Them Into Voucher Programs. According to CNN, “During his 2012 campaign for Congress, Donalds heavily embraced calls to privatize Social Security and Medicare – two programs Trump (and Donalds) now promise not to cut. ‘I’m not afraid to call it a voucher because that’s exactly what it’s gonna be: A voucher,’ Donalds said at one local Republican event in April 2012 when campaigning for Congress. […] Unlike most Republicans, Donalds embraced the term. ‘I think we need to go to a private account system similar to what they did in the country of Chile,’ he added on Social Security in an appearance on a radio show in June 2012.” [CNN, 3/29/24]
2021: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Raising The Debt Limit By $480 Billion. In October 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly, when considering the adoption of a resolution, Donalds effectively voted against the “automatic agreement to a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the bill (S 1301) that would increase the statutory limit on federal debt by $480 billion.” The vote was on the adoption of a resolution and a motion to concur. The House adopted the resolution, thus concurring with the Senate, by a vote of 219-206, and sent S. 1301 to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 315, 10/12/21; Congressional Quarterly, 10/12/21; Congressional Actions, S. 1301; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 716]
Without The Debt Limit Increase, The Federal Government Would Have Been Unable To Pay Social Security Benefits. According to the Washington Post, “Once adopted, it would head off a financial crisis with only days to spare ahead of the original Oct. 18 deadline. Failing to raise the debt ceiling by that date would have left the U.S. government unable to fulfill its financial obligations — including paying Social Security benefits to seniors, providing tax aid to families with children, or offering pay and other assistance to troops and veterans.” [Washington Post, 10/7/21]
2022: Donalds Voted Against Funding The Social Security Administration And Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services. In February 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, which in part would “provide $94 million for fiscal 2022 for the Office of Personnel Management, Social Security Administration, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to carry out the transition, but require the Postal Service to repay the amount in the same fiscal year.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 342-92. The bill was passed in the Senate and sent to the president, and ultimately became law. [House Vote 38, 2/8/22; Congressional Quarterly, 2/8/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3076]
2021: Donalds Voted Against Delaying Spending Cuts To Medicare And Other Programs Subject To Sequestration That Would Have Been Set Off In January 2022. In December 2021, Donalds voted against the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require budget year debit for 2022 to be rolled over to the 2033 scorecards under statutory pay-as-you-go requirements, thus delaying spending cuts to Medicare and other mandatory programs subject to sequestration that would otherwise be triggered in January.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 222-212, sent to the Senate and President, and ultimately became law. [House Vote 404, 12/7/21; Congressional Quarterly, 12/7/21; Congressional Actions, S. 610]
2021: Donalds Voted Against Extending A Temporary Suspension Of The 2% Annual Sequester Of Medicare Payments From March 31 To December 31, 2021. In March 2021, Donalds voted against a bill which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “extend from March 31 to Dec. 31, 2021, a temporary suspension of the 2 percent annual sequester of Medicare payments.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 246-175, sent to the Senate and President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 96, 3/19/21; Congressional Quarterly, 3/19/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1868]
2021: Donalds Effectively Voted Against Preventing Sequestration Cuts To Medicare. In December 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 838) that would provide for floor consideration of a legislative vehicle for the fiscal 2022 defense authorization bill (S 1605), a legislative vehicle for a bill (S 610) to prevent sequestration cuts to Medicare and expedite Senate consideration of a debt limit increase […] The rule would provide for up to one hour of general debate on each bill.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 219-213. [House Vote 403, 12/7/21; Congressional Quarterly, 12/7/21; Congressional Actions, S. 610; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 838]
2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Increasing Funding For The Medicare Improvement Fund To $1 Billion. In June 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds effectively voted against the manager’s amendment to the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022, which would “authorize $25 million annually through fiscal 2027 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Minority Fellowship Program. It would increase funding available for the Medicare Improvement Fund from $5 million to $1 billion.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 214-202, thus the manager’s amendment was automatically adopted. [House Vote 280, 6/22/22; Congressional Quarterly, 6/22/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7666; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1191]
2022: Donalds Voted Against The Affordable Insulin Now Act, Which Increased Funding Available For The Medicare Improvement Fund To Approximately $9 Billion. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would “increase funding available for the Medicare Improvement Fund from $5 million to approximately $9 billion. As an offset, it would delay for an additional year, through Jan. 1, 2027, implementation of a November 2020 rule ending a safe harbor provision that protects pharmacy benefit managers from federal anti-kickback laws for prescription drug rebates provided to health insurers under Medicare Part D.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 232-193, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The bill was passed by the Senate and both chambers are resolving differences. The bill was turned into the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 and that version ultimately became law. [House Vote 102, 3/31/22; Congressional Quarterly, 3/31/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6833]
The Bill Would Increase Funding Available For The Medicare Improvement Fund From $5 Million To Approximately $9 Billion. According to Congressional Quarterly, In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would “increase funding available for the Medicare Improvement Fund from $5 million to approximately $9 billion. [Congressional Quarterly, 3/31/22]
2022: Donalds Voted Against The Bipartisan Gun Violence Package. In June 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against concurring in the Senate amendments to the House amendment on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which would “provide over $4.6 billion in emergency funding through fiscal 2026 to address gun violence and mental health, and tighten restrictions on firearm purchases. Within total appropriations, the bill would provide $2.1 billion for Education Department support for school-based mental health services and student engagement activities and $990 million for Health and Human Service Department mental health programs, including $50 million for grants to states to implement or expand school-based health programs under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.” The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 234-193, thus the bill was sent to the President and became law. [House Vote 299, 6/24/22; Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/22; Congressional Actions, S. 2983]
The Bill Increased Available Funds For The Medicare Improvement Fund To $7.5 Billion. According to Congressional Quarterly, “It would increase funding available for the Medicare Improvement Fund from $5 million to $7.5 billion.” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/22]
2022: Donalds Voted Against The FY 2023 Omnibus Spending Package, Which Provided $207.4 Billion For The Departments Of Labor, Health And Human Services, Education, And Related Agencies. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against concurring with the Senate amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which would “provide approximately $25.5 billion for the Agriculture Department and related agencies; $82.4 billion for the Commerce and Justice departments and science and related agencies; $797.7 billion for the Defense Department; $54 billion for the Energy Department and federal water projects; $27.6 billion for the Treasury Department, federal judiciary and a number of executive agencies; $60.7 billion for the Homeland Security Department; $38.9 billion for the Interior Department, EPA and related agencies; $207.4 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments and related agencies; $6.9 billion for legislative branch entities; $154.2 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related agencies; $59.7 billion for the State Department and related agencies; and $87.3 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments and related agencies.” The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate amendment by a vote of 225-201, thus the bill was sent to President Biden and ultimately became law. [House Vote 549, 12/23/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/23/22; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 6552; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2617]
2022: Donalds Voted Against Providing Short-Term Federal Funding Through December 16, 2022, At FY 2022 Levels. In September 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against concurring with the Senate amendment on the Continuing Appropriations And Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which would “provide funding for federal government operations and services through Dec. 16, 2022, at fiscal 2022 levels and provide emergency funding for Ukraine, Afghan refugee resettlement, and natural disaster relief. In supplemental fiscal 2023 appropriations, it would provide approximately $12.3 billion in further military and economic aid to Ukraine, including $7.8 billion for military, intelligence and other defense support, $4.5 billion for bilateral economic support and $35 million for nuclear nonproliferation activities.” The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 230-201, thus the bill was sent to President Biden for signage. The bill was signed into law. [House Vote 476, 9/30/22; Congressional Quarterly, 9/30/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6833]
2022: Donalds Voted Against Capping Insulin Covered Under Medicare At $35 Per Month. In August 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which would “cap cost-sharing for insulin products covered under Medicare at $35 a month.” The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote 220-207, thus the bill was sent to President Biden for final signage. President Biden signed the bill and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 420, 8/12/22; Congressional Quarterly, 8/12/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5376]
2022: Donalds Voted Against The Affordable Insulin Now Act, Which Required Medicare To Cover Certain Insulin Products, Prohibit Deductibles For Insulin, And Cap Cost-Sharing For Such Insulin Products Beginning In 2023. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would “require private health insurance and Medicare to cover certain insulin products and limit cost-sharing requirements for such products for plans beginning in 2023. Specifically, it would require private insurance plans to cover at least one of each dosage form of each type of insulin, such as short-acting, long-acting and premixed insulin; prohibit the plans from applying a deductible for the insulin products; and cap cost-sharing for the insulin products at the lesser of $35 or 25 percent of the plan's negotiated price for the product per 30-day supply. For Medicare plans, it would similarly prohibit the application of a deductible for covered insulin products and cap copayments at $35 per 30-day supply.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 232-193, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The bill was passed by the Senate and both chambers are resolving differences. The bill was turned into the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 and that version ultimately became law. [House Vote 102, 3/31/22; Congressional Quarterly, 3/31/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6833]
2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against The Affordable Insulin Now Act. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted for the “Bucshon, R-Ind., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and Education and Labor Committees.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 197-225. [House Vote 101, 3/31/22; Congressional Quarterly, 3/31/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6833]
2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against The Affordable Insulin Now Act. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “adoption of the rule (H Res 1017) that would provide for House floor consideration of […] the Affordable Insulin Now Act (HR 6833). The rule would provide for up to one hour of general debate on each bill.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 219-202. [House Vote 99, 3/31/22; Congressional Quarterly, 3/31/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6833; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1017]
2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against The Affordable Insulin Now Act. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against the “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1017) that would provide for House floor consideration of […] the Affordable Insulin Now Act (HR 6833). The rule would provide for up to one hour of general debate on each bill.” The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 219-202. [House Vote 98, 3/31/22; Congressional Quarterly, 3/31/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6833; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1017]
2022: Donalds Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would Remove A Provision That Provided $1.5 Million For FY 2022 To The Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services For Costs Associated With The Limit Of Cost-Sharing And Prohibiting Deductibles For Insulin Products Covered Under Medicare. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds effectively voted against the manager’s amendment to the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would “strike from the bill a provision that would provide $1.5 million for fiscal 2022 for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cover costs associated with the bill's provisions to limit cost-sharing and prohibit deductibles for insulin products covered under Medicare prescription drug plans.” The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 219-202, thus the manager’s amendment was automatically adopted. [House Vote 99, 3/31/22; Congressional Quarterly, 3/31/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6833; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1017]
2022: Donalds Voted Against Requiring The Department Of Health And Human Services To Negotiate Fair Prices With Drug Manufacturers For Certain Medicare-Eligible, Brand-Name Drugs Without Generic Competition As Part Of The Inflation Reduction Act. In August 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Donalds voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which would “require the Health and Human Services Department to negotiate a ‘maximum fair price’ with drug manufacturers for certain Medicare-eligible, brand-name drugs that do not have generic competition.” The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote 220-207, thus the bill was sent to President Biden for final signage. President Biden signed the bill and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 420, 8/12/22; Congressional Quarterly, 8/12/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5376]
2021: Donalds Voted Against Directing The Department Of Health And Human Services To Negotiate Lower Prescription Prices For Insulin And Certain Medicare-Eligible Drugs That Lack Generic Competition. In November 2021, Donalds voted against the Build Back Better act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require the Health and Human Services Department to negotiate a ‘maximum fair price’ for insulin and select Medicare-eligible, brand-name drugs that do not have generic competition.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-213. [House Vote 385, 11/19/21; Congressional Quarterly, 11/19/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5376]
2021: Donalds Voted Against Requiring Drug Manufacturers To Provide Rebates For Single-Source Drugs Under Medicare Parts B And D, And Cap Annual Out-Of-Pocket Limits At $2,000 Starting In 2024 For Medicare Part D. In November 2021, Donalds voted against the Build Back Better act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require manufacturers to provide rebates for single-source drugs under Medicare Parts B and D for which prices increase faster than inflation. For Medicare Part D, it would cap annual out-of-pocket limit at $2,000 beginning in 2024.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-213. [House Vote 385, 11/19/21; Congressional Quarterly, 11/19/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5376]