Many JOUR-PAC House Reformers courageously bucked the Republican Trump Administration and Republican leadership to oppose H.R. 244, a thousand+ page, $1.2 Trillion Omnibus Bill for Fiscal Year 2017.
The following are some highlights of statements made by JOUR-PAC Reformers:
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA 04): "HR 244 – FY 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Act: NO. This bill funds the government through September 30th. Sadly, it continues a spending trajectory in which deficits are expected to hit trillion-dollar annual levels within just a few years – risking a sovereign debt crisis that has proven devastating to economic growth and often fatal to other countries.
As with any complex appropriations act, the pros and cons involve an enormous amount of subjective balancing. Although an argument can be made that this bill moves us slightly closer to Republican policies, it is largely indistinguishable from the spending priorities set during the Obama administration. Worse, it establishes a spending precedent that will be all the more difficult to break in the future because of two bad choices made by the Senate and the House. Senate Republicans have chosen not to reform the cloture rule for fiscal bills. This will make it much harder for the administration to meet its responsibilities and keep its promises. It will also make it all but impossible to restore the normal appropriations process. House Republicans have failed to achieve consensus within our own ranks. This too, imperils the major reforms that will define this administration, ranging from health care to tax reform. The inability of Republican conservatives and moderates to come together has shifted the center of legislative gravity in the House dramatically to the left, and into territory openly hostile to the President’s agenda. Whether we can point our country back to solvency and restore a pro-growth agenda will depend largely on correcting these two conditions quickly."
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL 03): "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL) released the following statement following his vote against the Consolidated Appropriations Act - H.R. 244.
“Yet again, congress is faced with a colossal ‘must pass’ omnibus spending bill to keep the government running for the remainder of fiscal year 2017. While I am in full support of raising pay for our military men and women, our national defense, our veterans, and funding for NIH – to name a few - this is not a bill I could support. There is more bad than good in this one trillion dollar spending bill. It continues to funnel billions of dollars to unauthorized programs, allows taxpayer funds for Planned Parenthood, and it does nothing to address our out of control debt. People don’t seem to care or realize that our out of control national debt, will eventually consume every single dollar in the budget. Yet we still appropriate funds at the last minute and bring up these ridiculously large spending bills. At what point are we going to prioritize dealing with our twenty trillion dollar national debt? There is no reason both the House and Senate couldn’t finish each of the eleven remaining appropriations bills individually and avoid cramming them all together in the dead of night. Each bill should be thoroughly vetted and debated on the floor. Omnibus spending bills do nothing but open up the appropriations process to frivolous spending. It is a shame that congress continues to spend people’s hardworking tax dollars in the way it does. The American people deserve better from their government.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID 01): "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-ID) released the following statement today after voting against a $1.1 trillion spending bill that would fund the federal government through September 30.
“The people of Idaho’s First District sent me to Congress to cut government spending and reduce our national debt. The bill we voted on today does the opposite; it increases government spending and borrowing, breaking the spending caps that Congress agreed to when President Obama was in office. While this bill does contain some good things, I would have preferred to see included in the bill more of the priorities President Trump and the majorities in Congress campaigned on - especially funding for a border wall. “President Trump has already said he will fight harder for our priorities when this bill expires in September. I look forward to working with him to make sure the next bill is stronger than this one.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL 14): "Washington, DC — U.S. Representatives Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released a statement after opposing House passage of H.R. 244, the FY2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, a $1.1 trillion bill to fund the government through September:
“I cannot in good conscience vote for this massive spending bill with little reforms or reductions to the spending of taxpayer dollars. It does nothing to reverse the growth of our national debt now nearing $20 trillion. Another continuing resolution moves us farther from regular order and the path of meaningful debt reduction. It doesn’t follow through on the promises we made to Americans calling for a change in direction. Our constituents, our kids and our grandkids deserve better.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN 03): "Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today made the following statement after voting against a $1.1 trillion, 1,665-page omnibus spending package:
“This legislation fails to properly address our $20 trillion national debt and reduce the size and scope of the federal government. As work immediately begins on next year’s spending bills, I am hopeful that Congress will follow the regular budget order and work with the Trump Administration to cut spending and change the Washington status quo.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rod Blum (R-IA 01): "Voted against the omnibus budget bill today. For the sake of our children & grandchildren we need to get serious about reining in our debt!"
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY 04): "WASHINGTON, D.C- America’s national debt is nearing $20 trillion, yet today Congress passed a $1.163 trillion omnibus spending bill (H.R. 244). This legislation exceeds congressional spending caps by over $90 billion and contains full funding for the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood.
Congressman Massie voted against H.R 244- the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2017 “House Leadership and the media have led the public to believe that passing one giant omnibus every year, at the last minute, is a legitimate way to fund the government and that anything else will result in a total government shutdown. Both are false,” Congressman Massie explained. “We should write, debate, amend, and pass 12 separate appropriations bills as the law prescribes, so that if any one bill fails to pass, only 1/12th of the Federal government shuts down.” H.R 244 passed the House of Representatives 309-118, with 178 Democrats and 131 Republicans voting in favor."
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA 04): "Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017, by a vote of 309 to 118. Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04) voted against the spending bill and released the following statement:
"Releasing a 1,700-page bill only three days before the vote is taken is classic Washington dysfunction. The provisions within this bill simply don’t line up with the values I was sent to Congress to uphold, and due to the rushed nature, there are many areas left completely unaddressed. “Among its many problems, this $1.2 trillion Omnibus will further expand the federal government, increase spending above existing statutory limits, and still allow Planned Parenthood to receive taxpayer dollars--while providing inadequate funding for border security, no repercussions to sanctuary cities that blatantly ignore federal law, and no prohibition on diversion of critical Department of Defense resources for pet projects. While I strongly support funding the military needs outlined by President Trump, this bill falls far short of what was asked by the president and what is actually needed. Without a clear offset or way to balance the budget, this bill is short-sighted, and I could not, in good conscience, vote for legislation that so clearly fails to address these and many other important issues.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI 03): "New funding bill is an embarrassment. More spending, more debt, no genuine compromise. Irresponsible and disrespectful to American people."
Amash Part 2: "Imagine you & your spouse are hugely in debt from overspending, so you call a meeting & agree each of you will spend more. That's Congress."
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Jason Lewis (R-MN 02): "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jason Lewis (MN-02) issued the following statement after voting against the Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 244:
“I came to Washington with one overriding goal: make sure that I leave our country a better place for our kids. The $20 trillion national debt poses a huge danger to their ability to succeed. The nation’s fiscal health should concern us all- and that’s why I opposed the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act today. “It’s important that we keep our government running, and I was pleased to see some of my priorities were properly funded. However it’s even more important that we fund our government responsibly. Washington bureaucrats are addicted to spending- and tackling the growing debt starts by not throwing millions at pet projects like Southwest Light Rail. My vote today was to put Washington on notice: we need to get serious about tackling our debt and spending problems right now. I’m committed to working in the Budget Committee to make those tough decisions- because the future depends on it.” Background courtesy of the Republican Policy Committee: H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, is the vehicle by which the House considered the government funding, or Appropriations, for 2017. This includes 11 annual Appropriations bills, providing $1.163 trillion to fund discretionary programs within the federal government through September 30, 2017, an increase of $14 billion from current law. The bill is over the caps established by the 2011 Budget Control Act."
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM 02): "Washington, DC (May 3, 2017) Congressman Steve Pearce today voted against, H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
“It’s truly unfortunate that the House was unable to produce a budget plan that adequately supports the policies and priorities of the people who elected us to get the job done. Once again, a budget deal was made based on the politics in Washington, not determined by the livelihoods of the people it affects each day. This budget fails to uphold the rights and liberties of American taxpayers by eliminating over 100 policy positions that the House fought to include in the 2015 budget,” stated Rep. Pearce. Rep. Pearce continued to state, “As I have said before, we must gain control of our nation’s frivolous spending habits so we can once and for all tackle our nation’s growing debt crisis. We have significant work to do to set our State and national economies back on the right track. For me, this means ensuring New Mexico has the budget certainty it needs and deserves. This bill was not the answer.” H.R. 244 passed the House today by a vote of 309-118."
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC 03): "WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017, a massive $1.16 trillion spending bill for the federal government. H.R. 244 passed the House 309 to 118. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass later today. It will then be sent to the president to be signed into law.
“This 1,665-page bill is a major disappointment,” said Congressman Jones. “It’s everything the American people hate about Washington. It was drawn up behind closed doors, released at 2am on Monday morning, and then rammed through on Wednesday afternoon. No one had sufficient time to read it before it was voted on.” “The process stinks, and the product may be even worse,” continued Congressman Jones. “This bill puts America one step closer to bankruptcy. On top of our $20 trillion in existing debt, it adds tens of billions of dollars in additional deficit spending, much of it on wasteful programs like foreign aid and Afghanistan.” “It’s simple: we cannot continue to spend money we do not have,” said Congressman Jones. “When the day comes that we default on our payments, there will be grave consequences for this great country. I do not want to leave that future for our children and grandchildren.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC 06): "WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (R-N.C.) today released the following statement in response to the passage of the fiscal year 2017 omnibus spending bill:
“Today, I voted against the $1.1 trillion-plus omnibus spending bill. Even with unified Republican government, Congress is failing to get our federal spending under control. “This omnibus spending bill is not without a few redeeming characteristics. Conservatives are relieved Congress refused to appropriate funds for the Obamacare cost-sharing reduction program and hope the administration will not violate the rule of law and the Constitution by respecting Congress’s decision to deny funding it. Conservatives are also reassured that increases to defense spending are not paired with dollar-for-dollar increases to non-defense discretionary spending. We temper our enthusiasm, however, with the recognition that these issues shouldn’t be in question with unified Republican government. “We, however, must not ignore the pattern of behavior. For nearly twenty years, the federal government has failed to pass a budget resolution and twelve appropriations bills. Budget and appropriations deadlines are, at best, regularly missed or, at worst, ignored. Unfortunately, this omnibus spending bill is pay dirt for progressive priorities – maintaining Obama-era levels of federal spending, funding Planned Parenthood and Obamacare and bailing out Puerto Rico's Medicaid program. This is what happens in a last-minute scramble to push through a 1,749-page spending bill that was produced behind closed doors. “When voters chose unified Republican government in November, they didn't bargain for Republicans ushering through an omnibus bill that keeps Obama-era spending priorities alive. Instead, Republicans should start governing like the conservative majority party the American people elected them to be. We can and must do better for fiscal year 2018.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC 13): "After voting against the four-month omnibus spending bill, Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) released the following statement:
“Today was not a good day for the taxpayer. The omnibus government spending bill that I voted against did not reduce spending, did not fund President Trump’s border wall, and fully funded Planned Parenthood. The fact that an expansion of a guest worker program was also included without debate or hearing only added insult to injury. Given that wage growth has been flat since 2001, bringing in more low-wage workers to compete with Americans strikes me as misguided. The Republican Party has had unified control of the government for only seven of the last 72 years. We have to start advancing conservative priorities that will grow our economy and disrupt the status-quo in Washington, DC. This bill did not do that.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH 08): "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017. The bill passed the House by a vote of 309-118.
"This omnibus bill protects the status quo. The status quo has created a $20 trillion debt crisis. This bill is a product of that same process: manage by crisis, jam in a last-minute package that overspends to 'buy' support, then celebrate small wins - all while ignoring the debt. "The power of the purse is central to the role of Congress. While there are notable wins in this bill, the process strips that Article I power to attach terms and conditions to the spending, spends more than the Budget Control Act budget caps, denies members of Congress the ability to amend the bill while stripping out previously approved amendments, discards amendments that passed in House-passed appropriations bills, and includes numerous federal bailouts. The status quo diminishes the Constitutional role of Congress. 'The people's House' is supposed to represent the people. This process strips members of that ability. The status quo is a path to bankruptcy. It is not compassionate to bankrupt America. “'On time and under budget' has been a hallmark of Trump organizations in the past, and that needs to catch on in Congress. Change is hard and the decisions are not easy, but a broken process that cannot continue must end. I am encouraged that President Trump has demonstrated the resolve to compel Congress to hit the next deadline (September 30, 2017), and I look forward to working with him and others to end the status quo in Washington."
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA 12): Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed an omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY 2017:
“The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. We have a serious obligation to the American people to spend their hard-earned money wisely. With every omnibus we pass, bypassing the regular appropriations process, we fail in this moral obligation. Today’s massive, 1,600-page, $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill, which members only had 48 hours to review, is no way to govern. I have long criticized this process, and it is the reason I again introduced last week the Congressional Pay for Performance Act, which would force budget timelines on Congress designed to prevent last-minute omnibuses from happening. “The House should have been allowed individual votes on critical policy issues such as border security, as well as controversial issues such as funding for organizations that provide abortions or funding for jurisdictions that harbor and protect criminals. By cramming all of these issues into one massive bill, members – and by extension, our constituents – were totally deprived of a voice, and I therefore decided to vote against the bill. Washington must change, and I hope that with the current FY 2017 appropriations process now history, we can move ahead with a far more responsible 2018 budget season.”
JOUR-PAC Reformer Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX 14): "Today, the House passed legislation to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year. The final vote was 309 to 118. Representative Randy Weber (R – Friendswood) opposed passage of this omnibus funding bill. After the vote, Representative Weber issued the following statement:
“Part of our responsibility as Members of Congress is to balance the budget, but instead we have once again passed the buck, thereby avoiding the problem. Though there are some positive provisions in the continuing resolution, there are arguably not enough. We had an opportunity, with the majority in both Chambers, to bring about real change asked for by our constituents. Instead, this bill sticks with the status quo. I could not support yet another funding bill that lacks accountability with my constituents. Through regular order and independent appropriation bills, we can responsibly fund the government, and see real change occur."
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