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In the order that initiated the investigation by the Federal Supreme Court (STF), the Federal Police (PF) cited suspicions raised by four parliamentarians to justify opening the investigation. The blocking of this amount was determined by the minister, rapporteur of the action that aims to establish stricter transparency rules for transfers made by Congress.
In the summary of the facts investigated, the PF wrote: “Investigate possible criminal practices in the release/allocation of parliamentary amendments, notably based on suspicions raised by senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos-MG), and federal deputies Adriana Ventura (Novo-SP) , José Rocha (União-BA) and Glauber Braga (PSol-RJ). Value to be determined: R$ 4,200,000,000.00”.
Dino cited, in his decision, statements made by deputies José Rocha and Adriana Ventura stating that parliamentarians on thematic committees had no participation in choosing the collegiate’s amendments. The trigger was a document sent by referring to more than 5 thousand committee amendments, even with collegiate meetings suspended in the last week of voting.
Glauber Braga filed a writ of mandamus with the STF. “The absence of prior approval and formal registration by the committees constitutes usurpation of competence and non-compliance with legal procedures, compromising the transparency and traceability necessary for budget execution. Such conduct also violates the decisions handed down by this Court within the scope of ADPF 854, which prohibit the allocation of resources without formal transparency and identification of those responsible”, argued the parliamentarian.
In the decision that blocked the payment of R$4.2 billion in commission amendments, Dino quotes a speech by Senator Cleitinho in plenary, on December 17th: “I would even like to suggest here in the Senate a CPMI for parliamentary amendments. (…) What we have to do with these amendments that are paid for is to bring transparency to the population. It’s not about letting these lobbyists divert public money, making easy money based on parliamentary amendments. Let it be investigated. Let the PF investigate everything.”
“Right” move
As the column showed, Centrão leaders believe that Dino launched a new offensive against Congress at the right time. When the magistrate blocked the amendments in August, the Legislature was in full operation. On the occasion, the President of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), reacted and released a Proposed Amendment to the Constitution that limits decisions by STF ministers.
The new blockade, however, happened at a different time. Congress went into recess last Monday (12/23) and, in both the Chamber and the Senate, there is a power vacuum. At the same time that Arthur Lira and Rodrigo Pacheco are leaving, the two Houses will only elect their new presidents in February 2025.
