Home > News and Multimedia > Recent Votes Print Version in New Window

12,456 subscribers

RECENT VOTES

Funding the Government

Last night the House voted on a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through February 16th. I voted against it. Here’s why. At the end of the day, the only real leverage that Democrats have is to stand our ground and refuse to accept legislation that is drafted without any regard for Democratic concerns. Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House. I fully understand that Democrats will lose more than we win. As you can see below, the CR passed pretty easily in the House. But that does not mean we should throw up our hands, give up and accept whatever is presented to us. I’ll never do that.

I voted against the CR because too many of the issues we care about are kicked down the road again. This is the fourth time this fiscal year that a CR has been necessary to fund the government and we aren’t even four months in. I’ve detailed below some of the reasons why I could not support this CR:

• Republicans want to increase defense spending but so far won’t budge on domestic spending. If the Budget Control Act mandated caps are going to be raised, it must be done equally. The CR does not address this problem which is the key to reaching long term agreement.
• Funding for community health centers is not in this CR and this crucial money expired in September. Every year, 27 million Americans depend upon community health centers for their medical care.
• The Children’s Health Insurance Program is not reauthorized permanently which is the only way to ensure its stability.
• There is no deal for the “Dreamers”, individuals brought to the country illegally when they themselves were innocent children. That deadline is fast approaching.
• There is no disaster funding in this CR. I was just in Puerto Rico and I can tell you that much more is needed there and in other parts of our country.

Of course I will compromise, but I will not capitulate!

At this writing, it is not clear if the Senate can pass what the House sent over last night. If agreement cannot be reached the federal government will essentially shut down. I voted NO. The CR passed and the entire vote is recorded below:

• H.R.195 on Congress.gov
• Open printer-friendly version in new window
• View more recent votes

12,456 subscribers