Rep. Huffman Votes Against FY 2017 Continuing Resolution
Washington, D.C.- Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today voted against the second FY 2017 Continuing Resolution, which passed the House today 326-96, calling attention to its kick-the-can approach instead of considering a full year spending measure, and for the underfunding of key local and national priorities in the bill.
“I’m disappointed that so many Democrats provided the votes for passage of this ‘get out of town’ Continuing Resolution, squandering the last point of leverage Democrats are likely to see for many months,” said Rep. Huffman. “Instead of standing and fighting for a bipartisan, full-year spending measure, most Democrats seemed more interested in leaving town early, and frankly we got rolled. This stopgap spending bill lacks funding for key priorities such as rural schools and critical highway transportation projects, and by ending this Congress early it puts many of President Obama’s policies on the chopping block for the next Congress because it extends the timeline for regulatory overrides in the New Year under the Congressional Review Act. Finally, the lack of serious Democratic opposition to this resolution enabled House Republicans to carry out a cynical maneuver that inserted toxic California water provisions into a separate bill, the Water Resources Development Act, and jam it through the Senate because the House had literally left town. Democrats must get stronger and smarter, and must work more closely with our Senate colleagues, if we’re going to avoid getting rolled on every major issue in the months ahead. The American people deserve better than a Congress that funds the government a few months at a time.”
Congressman Jared Huffman voted against the stopgap spending bill for a variety of reasons including:
· A lack of funding for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which is vital for rural counties and schools, providing critical resources for roads, public safety, and teachers;
· The inclusion of a provision that would constrict debate on a legal waiver to allow President-elect Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis, to take the role despite the fact that he has only been retired from active duty for fewer than seven years, which would be a violation of current law;
· The stopgap bill became a mechanism for Congressional leadership to force through dangerous California water provisions in the Water Resources Development Act, by linking those provisions to funding in this bill to respond to the clean water disaster in Flint, Michigan;
· Lacks appropriate funding to address the impending loss of health and retirement benefits by coal miners and their surviving families; and
· Underfunds the Highway Trust Fund, putting vital infrastructure projects at risk in the 2017 construction season.
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