Senate restricts blocking of parliamentary amendments, in defeat for the government

The Federal Senate concluded this Monday (18) the vote on the bill that establishes new rules for the use of parliamentary amendments, resources indicated by deputies and senators for their electoral bases.

The text, which now returns to the Chamber of Deputies, keeps a considerable portion of the Budget in the hands of Congress and makes little progress in relation to the demands made by the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

During the voting on highlights, the Senate managed to overturn the term “blocking” of parliamentary amendments, only allowing the possibility of “contingency” of funds. This decision was taken by 47 votes in favor and 14 against.

The project’s rapporteur, Angelo Coronel (PSD-BA), had tried to include the possibility of a broader blockade at the request of the government base, but the proposal did not receive support.

In practice, the term “blockade” would allow for funding cuts when the country’s expenses increase, something common in times of crisis. The “contingency” could only be applied in the event of a drop in revenue, which is rarer.

For the government, having the possibility of blocking would be a way to guarantee greater flexibility in budget cuts, while parliamentarians prefer contingency.

In another victory for the “centrão”, União Brasil managed to overturn an article that required the allocation of 50% of commission amendments to the health area.

Now, these funds can be allocated to any “programming of national or regional interest”. Furthermore, the number of bench amendments that can be nominated by parliamentarians from each state was increased from eight to ten.

The rapporteur also made changes in relation to commission amendments, which can now be nominated by party leaders, keeping the real author of the nomination hidden.

The bill establishes that bench amendments can be allocated to structuring investment projects and actions in 16 different areas of public policy, but Pix amendments will continue to be passed directly to city hall coffers.