[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 19003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 4137

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.
  Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, also on behalf of Senator Sessions, I ask 
unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from 
further consideration of H.R. 4137; that the Senate proceed to its 
immediate consideration; that the bill be read a third time and passed; 
and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the 
table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. WYDEN. Reserving the right to object, Mr. President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I want to be clear, as chair of the Senate 
Finance Committee, that I oppose taxpayers subsidizing illegal conduct, 
and I also oppose setting up a one-size-fits-all Federal mandate that 
is going to create redtape and confusion for our States to implement.
  This proposal says that TANF electronic benefits cannot be used in 
any retail store which sells marijuana. This means that a TANF card 
cannot be swiped in these locations. The reality is that TANF benefits 
can be withdrawn for cash, and cash can be spent anywhere. Yet this 
proposal does not seem to recognize that fact.
  Of course, we here in the Senate often hear of burdensome Federal 
rules and regulations that are imposed on our States and our 
businesses. My view is this sounds like the epitome of needless 
bureaucracy in its current form and actually achieves nothing except 
generating a lot of regulatory hassle.
  For the reasons I have stated, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Massachusetts.

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