Ruppersberger Issues Statement on Second Vote Against Stopgap Funding Bill

(Washington, DC) – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a continuing resolution to fund government operations into the next fiscal year through December 15, 2013.  Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger issued the following statement:

 

“Today, for only the second time in my Congressional tenure, I voted against stopgap funding because it serves only to reinforce sequestration for most government agencies. I strongly agree that we need significant spending cuts, but it must be done in a strategic, responsible manner. 

 

Furthermore, this bill contains not one but two partisan and irresponsible riders. The first directs the President to pay certain debts but not others in the event that Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling. This would force the Treasury to pay China but not our active-duty military and veterans. The other defunds the healthcare reform law. Instead of taking the 42nd vote to repeal or defund Obamacare, Republicans and Democrats should be working together to address outstanding concerns.

 

The across-the-board cuts are undermining our national security and our national economy. My district is home to two military installations and NSA and I see first-hand how sequestration is making us weaker as a nation. Even funding for essential services such as teachers, firefighters and police has been reduced indiscriminately.

 

This bill puts our country in serious jeopardy of a government shutdown, which would only exacerbate these consequences. It fails America. It fails our families, our counties, our states, our seniors, our schools and our troops. I believe lawmakers are focusing too much on political ideology and not on practical solutions to our country’s challenges. It is time for both parties to set aside our ideological leanings and do what’s right for the American people.”