House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) addressed the House floor today, advocating for H.R. 9494, the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025.

Chairman Cole's remarks emphasized the necessity of passing the bill amidst various national challenges. "Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9494, the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025," he began.

Cole highlighted issues such as the border crisis attributed to President Biden and Vice President Harris, a rising national debt exceeding thirty-five trillion dollars, and international threats from adversaries. He underscored the urgency of funding the government to avoid a shutdown.

"Given the state of the world, and our approaching election, this is no time to shut the government down," he stated. He noted that despite delays in the Fiscal Year 2024 process and a late President’s Budget Request, significant progress had been made by passing all twelve Fiscal Year 2025 bills out of committee and five through the House floor.

However, with an impending deadline and no Fiscal Year 2025 bills passed by the Senate yet, Cole argued for a continuing resolution to extend government funding through March 28, 2025. This extension would ensure uninterrupted critical services and allow more time for completing appropriations.

The bill also includes extensions for essential programs like Flood Insurance, WIC, TANF, and disaster relief funding. Additionally, it incorporates provisions from the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to ensure only American citizens vote in federal elections.

"Governance by continuing resolution is not ideal," Cole admitted but stressed its necessity given current circumstances. "We cannot afford a government shutdown."

He concluded by urging his colleagues to support H.R. 9494: "The stakes could not be higher."