WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 8, 2016 – U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, made the following statement after voting against H.R. 2028, the Continuing Resolution (CR):
“I voted against the Continuing Resolution today because it completely negates any real reforms to our government’s out-of-control spending. This bill adds a ghastly $3 billion to our ever increasing debt. This was yet another 11th-hour funding push during a lame duck session while the American people aren’t watching, and I could not in good conscience vote for it.
“This bill further delays the enforcement of spending caps, allows non-defense discretionary spending to exceed its statutory limit, and would appropriate funding at higher spending levels authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which I also voted against. While non-defense spending is increased, defense spending remains low and the timing of the CR prohibits the Department of Defense from starting new important programs, entering into multi-year contracts, and increasing production rates. There was also no house-passed provision included in today’s CR that would prevent thousands of refugees from terrorist hotspots from entering the U.S. without first being vetted.
“We have ample time to fully evaluate and negotiate our funding bills, but we continuously stall until a fiscal cliff is reached before taking any action. There is absolutely no excuse for this crisis-to-crisis governing. I will continue fighting for regular order and conservative spending in Congress.”
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