--- title: "Associations (Mostly) Score Big With “Cromnibus” Bill Riders" id: "26496" type: "post" slug: "associations-mostly-score-big-with-cromnibus-bill-riders" published_at: "2014-12-12T16:46:21+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T13:14:03+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/12/12/associations-mostly-score-big-with-cromnibus-bill-riders/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/12/12/associations-mostly-score-big-with-cromnibus-bill-riders.md" excerpt: "The $1.1 trillion spending bill is loaded with riders big and small. Many of the changes were welcomed by associations, but a rollback of Washington, DC's, marijuana legalization initiative proved controversial." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "IT Policy" - "Legislation" - "marijuana" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Associations (Mostly) Score Big With “Cromnibus” Bill Riders A lot went into the $1.1 trillion “cromnibus” spending bill—a combination of a continuing resolution and an omnibus spending bill. It’s a massive piece of legislation, full of surprises, many of which were the product of last-minute deal making. We’ve already mentioned [the American Trucking Associations’ successful campaign](http://associationsnow.com/2014/12/trucking-associations-push-congress-on-fatigue-rules/) to roll back driver-fatigue rules. A lot of other small-but-important provisions made it into the final bill, which narrowly passed the House on Thursday and the Senate on Saturday—[and now sits on the President’s desk (opens in a new tab)](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/12/11/370132039/house-poised-to-vote-on-controversial-cromnibus-spending-bill) —as legislative riders. The biggest might be one giving the residents of Washington, DC, some major headaches this week. ### DC’s Last Dance With Mary Jane? A longtime sticking point for many who reside in the District of Columbia—full-time residents, not members of Congress—is that, due to the city’s home-rule regulations, Congress holds final say over the district’s legislative decisions. In the omnibus spending bill, Congress just said no to legal marijuana in DC. Last month, District voters passed a marijuana legalization ballot initiative by a 2-1 margin. But a provision added to the the spending bill [by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) (opens in a new tab)](http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/12/10/spending-bills-limit-on-d-c-marijuana-legalization-sparks-outrage/) blocks any use of federal funds to “[enact any law, rule, or regulation (opens in a new tab)](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2014/12/10/the-two-paragraphs-derailing-d-c-s-pot-plan/) ” that loosens the restrictions on any Schedule I drug included in the Controlled Substance Act. One such drug happens to be marijuana. The move, which follows Harris’ failed attempt [to block decriminalization (opens in a new tab)](http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/local-news/whats-the-real-reason-a-maryland-congressman-is-trying-to-undo-dcs-marijuana-decriminalization.php) in the district earlier this year, was panned by states’ rights rights groups, such as DC Vote, as well as the National Cannabis Industry Association. “DC voters overwhelmingly chose to take a smarter and safer approach to marijuana policy by allowing for the creation of a responsible, regulated system for production and sales,” NCIA Executive Director Aaron Smith [said in a statement (opens in a new tab)](https://thecannabisindustry.org/ncia-calls-congress-stop-trampling-d-c-s-choice-safe-regulated-marijuana-system/) . “Apparently, Congress is not interested in being smart, or safe, or democratic.” The rider [led to protests on Wednesday night (opens in a new tab)](http://dcist.com/2014/12/marijuana_supporters_march_to_capit.php) , with the Heritage Foundation—where Harris spoke this week about his stance on marijuana policy—as the main target. ### Other notable Riders **It wasn’t all bad news for the pot movement.** One rider includes language that bars the use of federal funds to prosecute people who grow and dispense marijuana for medical uses in states where doing so is legal—[a significant victory for the movement (opens in a new tab)](http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/12/11/3602009/the-congressional-budget-includes-a-stunning-victory-on-medical-marijuana/) . **Brand USA,** a public-private partnership that encourages international travelers to visit the United States, [got a five-year renewal (opens in a new tab)](http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/226613-brandusa-renewal-included-in-funding-bill) as part of the omnibus bill. **White potatoes back in business:** The National Potato Council [earned a reversal of a ban on white potatoes (opens in a new tab)](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/12/10/white-potato-lobby-wins-in-spending-bill/20217151/) in the Women, Infants, and Children food voucher program. **The International Swaps and Derivatives Association** is [welcoming a rider (opens in a new tab)](http://nypost.com/2014/12/11/1t-bill-would-roll-back-parts-of-dodd-frank-reform-bill/) that rolls back part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law. The rider removes a provision that required derivatives trading to be handled by separate businesses that aren’t guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. **And the School Nutrition Association** supported a successful effort [to ease school lunch rules (opens in a new tab)](http://www.schoolnutrition.org/PressReleases/SNAUrgesSupportforSchoolMealFlexibilityinOmnibusAppropriationsBill/) . [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. 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