WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins joined House Republicans in calling for an immediate freeze in government spending at current levels before the House passed H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, on Wednesday by a vote of 245-178. 

“The omnibus spending bill that passed today represents the largest increase in nonemergency spending since President Carter was in office,” Jenkins said. “The bill spends $32 billion more than last year. H.R. 1105 will cost more than $400 billion and comes on the back of the $1 trillion stimulus bill. It is time to stop talking about fiscal responsibility and start practicing it.”

The omnibus bill totals $410 billion in spending and includes the nine appropriation bills that were not passed by Congress last year. These agencies are currently funded at last year’s levels through March 6, 2009, by a continuing resolution. H.R. 1105 increases funding by 8.3 percent more than last year.

“I continue to fight for the American people today by calling for an immediate freeze of government spending,” Jenkins said. “The federal government cannot continue to spend money it does not have. Those who spent irresponsibly the past six years are just as guilty as those spending irresponsibly today. The burden this generation will pass on to the next continues to grow with each new spending bill Congress passes.”

Jenkins continued, “The folks back in Kansas are forced to tighten their belts and make sacrifices to get through these tough times. The federal government should follow their example. It is past due time for the government’s irresponsible spending spree of taxpayer dollars to come to an end.”