Lowey Statement on FY2014 Continuing Resolution

September 16, 2014
Press Release
Ranking Democrat: Must Not Repeat Government Shutdown

While it was my sincere hope that we could have completed action on all twelve Appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year, I understand Chairman Rogers desire to quickly pass this CR and prevent another disastrous government shutdown.

This continuing resolution gives the House and Senate Appropriations Committees roughly three months to reach agreement on each of the discretionary bills and the important programs they fund. Of great importance in these negotiations will be the funding levels in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill.  Unfortunately, it has the dubious distinction of being the only one not even brought to the full committee for markup, denying Members on both sides of the aisle the opportunity to offer amendments and have a full, open debate about these critical programs.  Yesterday Ranking Member DeLauro and all the Democratic members of that subcommittee introduced our version of the bill that we hope will help clarify our priorities for the process in the coming months.

The CR portion of this legislative package contains much-needed funding to address urgent crises, including the spread of Ebola, ensuring critical work continues to develop and manufacture treatment therapies as well as work on a vaccine.

However, I regret that the Majority’s proposed CR resorts to one of the worst legislative mechanisms to reduce scoring: an across-the-board cut. This type of provision shirks one of the most fundamental responsibilities of this Committee: making difficult decisions about program levels. Worse still, it is misleading to the public and creates an illusion that program levels remain at last year’s level when they are in fact lower.

I also have concerns with the length of the extension of the Export Import Bank.

The President spoke forcefully about the threat of ISIL last week. Later this afternoon, the House will begin debate on the Administration’s request for narrow Title X authority. There is a clear need for an international coalition to execute an aggressive, targeted strategy aimed at degrading ISIL.

Lastly, the rule for this CR added three technical changes to the underlying text that were needed and which I support. Additional language was needed on the Ebola funding, on the LIHEAP money, and on recreation fees.

Mr. Speaker, obviously no Appropriator ever wants a CR, but none of us wants to repeat last year’s shutdown. It is my sincere hope that if this CR is enacted, we can use the coming months wisely to craft agreement on all twelve bills by December 11th. There is absolutely no reason to punt our responsibilities into the new year and the new Congress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

113th Congress