This is a consequence of attempting to make every piece of new legislation revenue neutral. If the main purpose of the bill will cost money, Congress will look elsewhere to find new revenue. That is how a bill about patient data portability ends up having tax implications for expats.
It would certainly be within the rules for Congress to just pass spending and revenue bills separately, but it would be politically difficult.
It would certainly be within the rules for Congress to just pass spending and revenue bills separately, but it would be politically difficult.