(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, Representative Ander Crenshaw, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, voted against H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, which passed by a vote of  245– 178.  The $410 billion bill funds government operations and budgets for Fiscal Year 2009.

Rep. Ander Crenshaw said, “At a time when our deficit is exploding at an alarming rate and our nation is facing an unprecedented economic crisis, what we need is a spending freeze not a spending spree.”

The bill is the largest appropriations bill in history and represents an 8.3% increase, up $32 billion from the same funding bills passed for FY 2008, which totaled $378 billion.  

“The American people are tightening their own budgets at home, and they expect Congress to do the same.  This budget is not in a vacuum, and should take into consideration the current financial crisis.  It’s time that the Democrat Congress recognizes that taxpayer money doesn’t grow on trees,” said Rep. Crenshaw.

 “The American public is becoming increasing distrustful of their government and for good reason.  This kind of back room, closed-door deal making is the very thing that erodes public confidence in the federal government and its ability to do the people’s business in an efficient and open manner,” added Rep. Crenshaw.

Congressman Crenshaw has regularly participated in the normal process of vetting and mark-up of funding bills prior to the final passage on the House floor.  The massive legislation effectively rolls 9 individual budgets into a single spending bill. Traditionally, Congress passes each individual spending bill before the end of the fiscal year – which was October 1, 2008.  

“These funding bills are 5 months late in coming to the floor and have not been given the level of scrutiny and examination that the public is demanding.  The Democrat Congress keeps saying, ‘Trust us,’ but the American people want more than just a hope and a promise.  They want accountability and transparency,” concluded Rep. Crenshaw.

The Omnibus also includes controversial legislation buried in the massive bill text.  The Democrat written legislation includes provisions that would terminate the District of Columbia school voucher program, dealing a severe blow to similar programs nationwide.  It also eliminates a provision that has previously prohibited the implementation of the “Fairness Doctrine,” which is an attempt to force conservative talk-radio shows off the airwaves.  Also included in the bill is $545 billion for the State Department to fund international family planning programs that will flow to abortion providers overseas.