Last night, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that would fund our government through February 8. Democrats are disappointed that Congress would kick the can down the road once again, yet we remain willing to pass that bill to keep the government open.
Unfortunately, even that simple stopgap measure is apparently unacceptable to a President hellbent on shutting down the government over his wasteful wall.
And, instead of showing leadership and moving forward with the Senate legislation despite the President’s tweets, House Republicans have caved once again to Trump’s political whims. They have now put up this grab bag of legislation that wastes taxpayer dollars, fails to meet the urgent needs of disaster victims, and is dead on arrival in the Senate.
With all the challenges facing our country, from soaring health care costs to crumbling infrastructure, it is inconceivable that Republicans want to spend $5.7 billion on an unnecessary wall that President Trump himself promised Mexico would pay for.
Moreover, the disaster supplemental attached to this bill shortchanges nutrition needs in Puerto Rico - needs that were apparent 16 months ago. And Republicans have continued their pattern of denying science by grossly underfunding mitigation and resilience against future disasters caused by climate change.
Mr. Speaker, this bill is nothing but another attempt by lame duck Republicans to appease President Trump. It is a fitting final act for the most chaotic and dysfunctional Congress in modern history.
I oppose this reckless and irresponsible bill. I urge my colleagues to reject this legislation and instead pass the Senate’s clean CR, keep our government open, and prevent a Trump Shutdown.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
