HAL ROGERS

Contact: Stefani Zimmerman 202-225-4601

Washington, DC, Sep 30 - U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement after House Democrats pushed through the FY 2011 Continuing Resolution Act, funding federal government at excessive levels until December 3, 2010 and failing to address growing homeland security vulnerabilities, late yesterday evening:

“This continuing appropriations bill reveals far more than a failure to enact a budget and fund our Nation’s priorities; it’s a failure in leadership.

“It is simply inexcusable that at a time of mounting debt, with record home foreclosures, nearly 10 percent of Americans out of work, and economic turmoil all around, that the Democrat Majority has completely and utterly failed. They have failed to develop a budget plan, they have failed to set priorities, and they have failed to produce even one of the twelve annual appropriations bills. When the American people expect leadership and fiscal discipline, the Democrats have responded by going 0-for-12 on their most basic chore.

“Equally shameful is the complete lack of urgency in addressing our country’s homeland security needs. In a year of numerous terrorist attacks, the Democrat majority has failed to produce the vital Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

“No plan! No priorities! No product! No commitment to security!

“This continuing appropriations bill doesn’t cut it. The American people don’t want lazy stop-gaps. The American people want results. They want leaders that prioritize our national security and that ensure that government fulfills its basic duties with urgency and fiscal discipline. This Administration and the Democrat majorities have utterly failed to deliver.”

This FY 2011 budget process marks the first time since 1974 that the Congress has failed to set priorities by enacting a budget resolution. Over the past two years, non-security related discretionary spending has grown by over 88 percent and Republican efforts last night to consider a measure to return spending levels to the pre-bailout, Democrat spending spree were denied consideration.

Rogers is the lead Republican on the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Homeland Security. As a senior member of the Committee, Rogers works to secure funding to increase the nation’s preparedness and for important homeland security initiatives in Kentucky and the nation.