Ranking Member DeLauro Floor Remarks on Government Funding Package

WASHINGTON — House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, which provides funding for domestic programs that curb the rising cost of living, that creates higher-paying jobs, that confronts the climate crisis, it honors commitments to America's veterans, and it protects women's rights.

In a divided country, I am pleased that Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate united and produced this legislation to make government work for the people. Democrats are doing what we always do – put people over politics, follow the law, and reach a bipartisan compromise to grow the middle class and to deliver for the American people.

This bill includes $1 billion to fully fund the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. It prevents 5 million people from losing their housing. It increases our investments in our infrastructure, and creates jobs. It restores funding for rail and transit systems.

These funding bills — the product of bipartisan negotiations — help keep our communities safe and healthy. We are keeping government open, protecting the people in need, and moving our country forward. This legislation does not have everything either side may have wanted, but I am pleased that many of the extreme cuts and policies proposed by House Republicans were excluded. House Democrats rejected outright their archaic restrictions on women's reproductive health care.

I am proud that this bill protects the progress we previously made to reverse underinvestment in domestic programs that empower and protect middle class families.

To help Americans contending with an elevated cost of living, this bill fights inflation, and fully supports key lifelines such as food assistance, ensuring people in this great country of ours do not go hungry.

I urge swift passage of this package, and I look forward to finalizing and passing the remaining 2024 funding bills in due time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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