Nicholas Johns
Virginia
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Articles by Nicholas Johns
NTU Supports Several Good Governance Senate HSGAC Bills
View as PDF To: Members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs From: National Taxpayers Union Date: Mar 11, 2025 Subject: NTU’s Views on March 12 Committee Markup Introduction and Key Taxpayer Considerations On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on several good governance bills before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. S.
NTU Urges "YES" on Clean CR & Two Pro-Taxpayer Bills
View as PDF March 11th, 2024 **************************************************** As described in detail below, NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on three pro-taxpayer bills this week: H.J. Res. 25, Congressional disapproval of the IRS digital asset sales rule H.R. 1156, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act H.R. 1968, Full Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H. J. Res. 25.
American Investment in Manufacturing and Main Street Act Would Restore Critical Pro-Growth Tax Provision
With a lagging economic hangover from the Biden Administration, Main Street businesses could use a shot in the arm to boost the economy. That’s what legislation introduced by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), the American Investment in Manufacturing and Main Street Act would accomplish, by rolling back a punishing change to interest deductibility.
NTU Supports CRA Nullifying IRS Crypto Broker Rule
View as PDF To: Members of the House Committee on Ways and Means From: National Taxpayers Union Date: Feb 25, 2025 Subject: NTU’s Views on February 26th Committee Markup Introduction and Key Taxpayer Considerations On behalf of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on a critical Congressional Review Act measure slated for consideration before the House Committee on Ways and Means.
NTU Urges "YES" on H. Con. Res. 14, the House Budget Resolution
View as PDF February 24, 2024 **************************************************** NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H. Con. Res. 14. This budget resolution is a necessary and critical step in passing President Trump’s tax cut agenda via the budget reconciliation process. The resolution allows the House Ways and Means Committee $4.5 trillion in authority to further President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was also passed using the reconciliation process.
Lay all Biden energy credits on the chopping block
It’s time to end Biden-era tax giveaways to wealthy coastal elites. The Democrat-passed and signed “Inflation Reduction Act” endowed the tax code with credits for electric vehicles and alternative home energy supply. But data shows that the people buying electric BMWs and installing solar panels are among the top earners in the country. Americans who make more than $200,000 per year are hardly the population who should benefit from tax credits, according to the Democrats’ own arguments.
Trump Is Unleashing DOGE on the Pentagon Budget: Here’s Where Musk Should Look
President Trump is about to unleash DOGE on the only government agency that has never passed an audit: the Pentagon. With an annual budget rapidly approaching a trillion dollars per year, no other pot of discretionary spending comes close. Moreover, the Pentagon recently failed its 7th consecutive audit, underscoring an ongoing breakdown in financial accountability that would never be tolerated at a publicly traded company.
NTU Leads Coalition Letter on Increasing Baseline Updates Act
View as PDF Open Letter to Congress: Timely Information Essential for Accurate Scorekeeping Dear Members of Congress: We write to urge your support for the “Increasing Baseline Updates Act,” H.R. 9716, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), Ron Estes (R-KS), and Ralph Norman (R-SC).
NTU Comments on Medicare and Medicaid Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications
January 27, 2025 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-4208-P P.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244–8013 Re: Comments on Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-P; RIN 0938-AV40) On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the...
NTU's 14th Annual "No Brainers" List: 2024's Top 10 Bipartisan Bills for Taxpayers
In this year’s lame duck session, National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is happy to present its 14th annual “No Brainers” list of legislative reforms that can unite lawmakers across the political spectrum. Each bill would be a boon for taxpayers and must meet three key criteria: 1) It has support from both Democrats and Republicans 2) It has not appeared on a previous NTU “No Brainers” list 3) It is a sensible way to address a real problem that taxpayers face.
NTU Urges "NO" on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act
SSFA VA November 12th, 2024 **************************************************** NTU urges all Representatives to vote "NO" on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act. NTU historically supported the taxpayer-friendly Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) at the time of their enactment. Eliminating these provisions would increase deficits by close to $200 billion over the budget window according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Nicholas Johns: Paulsen is the worthy choice for San Juan County council
As a 31-year-old in the San Juans, I feel like a rare bird. My family is lucky to be thriving in this beautiful community that welcomed us. My peers have either flown away to the mainland because they can’t afford a place to live, or they’re working themselves to death trying to scrape out a life here. If Rick Hughes is elected, the chance that we can remain long term goes down because he will not prioritize housing.
The Universal Service Fund Is Broken, Don't Expand It
The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a tax-like program established originally in the 1930s, with subsequent alterations in 1996 and 2011. While originally enacted to provide “universal” access to telephone communications, its mandate later expanded to include broadband access. Currently, a nonprofit called the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) collects fees, which are actually more akin to taxes, from telecommunications companies.
Speaker Johnson's Plan Would Lead to Economic Resurgence
In two speeches, first at the America First Policy Institute, and today at the New York Stock Exchange, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) laid out an ambitious policy blueprint for 2025 that should have taxpayers ringing the opening bell. If Republicans gain full control of the government next year, having a clear vision will be paramount to success. And if these policies are all implemented, the economy will be off to the races.
Taking the Biden administration back to school on college costs
Over the last few years of President Biden’s administration, taxpayers have gotten stuck with the bill for more than a hundred billion dollars in student loan debt. And this fall, millions of families will receive an invoice from a college or university for their children’s tuition. Many of these families will have sticker shock at the exorbitant prices—college costs have increased over 130% over the last twenty years.
Taking the Biden administration back to school on college costs
OPINION: Over the last few years of President Biden’s administration, taxpayers have gotten stuck with the bill for more than a hundred billion dollars in student loan debt. And this fall, millions of families will receive an invoice from a college or university for their children’s tuition. Many of these families will have sticker shock at the exorbitant prices—college costs have increased over 130% over the last twenty years.
'Kamala-fornia' goes national - Washington Times
OPINION: If President Biden’s single term in office can be defined by excessive spending, rampant inflation, massive regulatory overreach and expensive giveaways to liberal interest groups, what might a Harris-Walz administration hold?
NTU Supports College Costs Reduction Act
View as PDF July 29, 2024 The Honorable Virginia Foxx Chair House Education and Workforce Committee 2176 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Bobby Scott Ranking Member House Education and Workforce Committee 2101 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chair Foxx, Ranking Member Scott, and Members of the House Education and Workforce Committee: I write on behalf of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, in support of H.R. 6951, the...
The Senate's Reform to Ban Stock Trading by Lawmakers Is a Good Start but Needs Work
Earlier in July, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) passed a slightly-modified version of the Ending Trading and Holdings In Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act (S. 1171), which bans individual stock trading or holding by members of Congress and their immediate family members. The ban would also apply to the President, the Vice President, and their respective family members.
Taxpayers Get Joint Employer Relief at Last
On July 19th, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) may have finally waved the white flag on its radical attempt to redefine employment in the United States. The NLRB filed to dismiss its Fifth Circuit challenge of the Texas district court ruling that invalidated its new “joint employer” standard. This standard would have altered a decades-old test that determines whether two separate employers can be held liable for labor relations negotiations.
NTU Supports Several Interior Appropriations Amendments
View as PDF July 24th, 2024 **************************************************** NTU urges all Representatives to vote "YES" on Amendments #28, #41, #47, #48, #53, and #179, to H.R. 8998, the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025. While the base bill does not increase spending over the negotiated caps, NTU believes that additional cuts could be made, including from earmarked projects. The amendment numbers are based on the Rules Committee numbering system.
NTU Supports Several Energy Approps. Amendments
View as PDF July 23rd, 2024 **************************************************** NTU urges all Representatives to vote "YES" on Amendments #93, #94, #96, #97, #101, #102, #104, #105, and #106, to H.R. 8997, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025. While the base bill does not increase spending over the negotiated caps, NTU believes that additional cuts could be made, including from earmarked projects.
NTU Comments on Qualifying Single Source Drugs Rulemaking
View as PDF July 1, 2024 Comments on Center for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Services Maximum Fair Prices (MFPs) and Qualifying Single Source Drug (QSSD) Interpretation Meena Seshamani, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Administrator and Director Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW., 20201 Dear Director Seshamani: National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the recent interpretation of...
NTU's Nick Johns Discusses a Potential Shake Up at the Fed on Newsmax TV
Media by Nicholas Johns July 17, 2024
NTU Urges "YES" on Unfunded Priorities List Amendment
View as PDF NTU urges all Representatives to vote "YES" on Amendment #92, to H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025. The amendment numbers are based on the Rules Committee numbering system. Amendment #92, offered by Rep. Jayapal (D-WA), Rep. Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Garamendi (D-CA), and Rep. McClintock (R-CA), would prohibit funds from being used to carry out unfunded priorities lists (UPLs).
NTU Urges "YES" on H.R. 8771, 2025 SFOPS Appropriations Act
View as PDF NTU urges all Representatives to vote "YES" on H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025 (SFOPs). This bill would fund these accounts at $51.71 billion, thereby cutting spending on SFOPs by 11 percent or $7.6 billion below FY 2024. As our nation’s financial situation grows more dire by the day, an 11 percent cut is a significant step in the right direction for taxpayers.
NTU Supports Seven FY 2025 NDAA Amendments
View as PDF June 11, 2024 The Honorable Michael Burgess Chair House Rules Committee 2000 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Jim McGovern Ranking Member House Rules Committee H-152, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chair Burgess, Ranking Member McGovern, and Members of the House Rules Committee: On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write asking you to make in order several pro-taxpayer amendments to H.R. 8070, the...
NTU Supports FY 2025 Financial Services - General Government Appropriations Bill
View as PDF June 4, 2024 The Honorable David Joyce Chair House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government 2000 RHOB Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Steny Hoyer Ranking Member House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government 1036 LHOB Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chair Joyce, Ranking Member Hoyer, and Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government: On behalf of the National Taxpayers...
Supreme Court Ruling on CFPB Already Spelling Trouble for Taxpayers
NTU has long warned that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) unprecedented structure and overly aggressive enforcement agenda pose risks to taxpayers. Their overreaches, especially under Director Rohit Chopra, are reducing access to credit for Americans and generating enormous compliance costs.
NTU Urges "YES" on H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act
View As PDF NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act. This legislation would establish a clear regulatory regime for crypto securities and commodities, curtailing the overreach of the current Securities and Exchange Commission. NTU and NTU Foundation have both consistently warned about the Biden administration’s overreaches in crypto regulation.
NTU Supports Several Bills in House Budget Committee Markup
NTU House Budget Committee Letter To: Members of the House Committee on the Budget From: National Taxpayers Union Date: May 15, 2024 Subject: NTU’s Views on May 16th Committee Markup Introduction and Key Taxpayer Considerations On behalf of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on several measures slated for consideration before the House Committee on the Budget on May 16, 2024.
NTU Letter Endorsing Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act
View as PDF May 10, 2024 The Honorable Patrick McHenry Chair House Financial Services Committee 134 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Maxine Waters Ranking Member House Financial Services Committee 2221 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chair McHenry, Ranking Member Waters, and Members of the House Financial Services Committee: I write on behalf of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, in strong support of H.R. 8147, the...
Letter Supporting H.R. 8021, the Interstate Commerce Clarification Act
View as PDF April 28, 2024 The Honorable Jim Jordan Chair House Judiciary Committee 2138 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler Ranking Member House Judiciary Committee 2142 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chair Jordan, Ranking Member Nadler, and Members of the House Judiciary Committee: I write on behalf of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, in strong support of H.R. 8021, the Interstate Commerce Clarification...
Vote "YES" On H.J. Res. 98
NTU urges all Senators to vote “YES” on the House-passed H.J. Res 98, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status." This Congressional Review Act resolution would nullify the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent rulemaking that will upend the traditional joint employer standard.
New Transparency Bill Would Shine Light Into Appropriations Process
Earlier this March, Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced the Appropriations Transparency Act, which would allow taxpayers to better understand how the federal spending process impacts the nation’s finances. Under current law, the Congressional Budget Act, which established and organized the nonpartisan fiscal scorekeeper Congressional Budget Office (CBO), exempts the Appropriations Committees from mandated budget scoring on legislation.
Tax cuts should always be in season for Montana
Just last year, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte delivered a huge tax cut for Montanans, both on individual rates and for businesses. But what should concern Montana’s Senators is renewing former President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). High inflation that has been a staple of Bidenomics means that average Americans cannot afford not to act on a tax deal.
Guest column: Tax cuts should always be in season for Montana
Just last year, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte delivered a huge tax cut for Montanans, both on individual rates and for businesses. But what should concern Montana’s Senators is renewing former President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). High inflation that has been a staple of Bidenomics means that average Americans cannot afford not to act on a tax deal.
College Cost Reduction Act Could Restore Taxpayer Confidence
Earlier this year, House Education and Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced H.R. 6951, the College Cost Reduction Act, a major piece of legislation that would improve fiscal accountability for higher education. For years, the Biden administration has been attempting to sidestep Congress by unilaterally shifting debt from college borrowers to taxpayers.
How red-light camera laws could help drive federal AI regulation
Law enforcement agencies from the CIA to the IRS to local police departments are beginning to utilize AI technology in different forms, and it’s imperative that Congress come up with a framework that works for Americans everywhere to protect privacy and civil rights. Read the full story here.
Vote "NO" on H.R. 815, the National Security Act
View as PDF NTU urges all Senators to vote “NO” on H.R. 815, the National Security Act. While NTU does not take a position on how best to conduct foreign policy, we closely scrutinize how taxpayer money is being spent, especially in times of spiraling deficits and debt obligations. Due to these fiscal concerns, we oppose the final passage of this bill as it stands since this package is not offset by spending cuts.
Vote "NO" on H.R. 7160, the SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act
View as PDF NTU urges all Representatives to vote “NO” on H.R. 7160, the SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act. This legislation would double the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap for joint filers from $10,000 to $20,000 for those making less than $500,000 annually. This deduction cap was initially implemented as a pay-for in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The bill is estimated to add around $12 billion to the deficit in one year of applicability.
Digital Asset Mining Tax Would Set Poor Precedent
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 distorted energy markets with a host of tax hikes and tax credits, but the Biden administration would take things even further with its proposal to tax energy use from crypto mining.
Emergency Spending Should Be Offset
This week, the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act in the Senate is under intense discussion, while the House is expected to vote on H.R. 7217, an emergency supplemental appropriations bill to aid Israel. While NTU does not take a position on how best to conduct foreign policy or border security, we have an obligation to taxpayers to closely scrutinize how taxpayer money is being spent, especially in times of spiraling deficits and debt obligations.
Conservatives Should Not Run From Trump's Tax-Cutting Economic Legacy
Although it was one of President Trump’s key legislative victories, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and its significance as a keystone of Trump’s economic agenda seem to be forgotten by some Republicans of late. The bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act currently up for consideration in Congress cements and expands upon the legacy of the TCJA - but it is facing Republican opposition despite the legislation taking its cues from President Trump’s successes.
Conservatives Should Not Run From Trump’s Tax-Cutting Economic Legacy
Although it was one of President Trump’s key legislative victories, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and its significance as a keystone of Trump’s economic agenda seem to be forgotten by some Republicans of late. The bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act currently up for consideration in Congress cements and expands upon the legacy of the TCJA - but it is facing Republican opposition despite the legislation taking its cues from President Trump’s successes.
Vote Alert: Vote "YES" on the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024
(PDF) January 29, 2024 **************************************************** NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation, while not perfect, is a strong step forward in ensuring that key parts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), supported by conservatives, will continue to deliver pro-growth tax relief.
Medicare Advantage Report Bears Additional Analysis from MedPAC
Earlier this January, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened and one topic of discussion was a report on Medicare Advantage (MA). While MedPAC has a long history of being a trusted congressional agency advising on Medicare and delivering recommendations to Congress, the controversy around this month’s report should raise eyebrows.
Scrapping Independent Contractor Rule Is Important Step to Fighting Bidenomics
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a final rule on independent contractors that had previously stalled out at the agency at the same time that Acting Secretary Julie Su’s nomination languished in the Senate. NTU applauds Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for his leadership in introducing a Congressional Review Act to overturn this rule.
Vote "NO" on the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2670, the 2024 NDAA
NTU urges all Senators and Representatives to vote “NO” on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The final compromise NDAA increases authorized funding to $886.3 billion from FY 2023’s $847 billion. This is also $44 billion above President Biden’s request of $842 billion, and over $100 billion higher than was authorized during FY 2022.
Recent Defense Production Act Use on AI & Drug Manufacturing Should Prompt Congressional Reevaluation
Introduction & Recommendations The Defense Production Act (DPA) is a source of unilateral authority that the president can access in times of true crisis in order to ensure national security. However, recent and novel expansions of the interpretation of this authority should give Congress pause on reauthorizing these vast powers without serious consideration of targeted reforms.
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