Lowey Floor Remarks on Bipartisan Budget Agreement

WASHINGTON — House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey today delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019, legislation to raise unworkable budget caps and suspend the debt ceiling:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3877.

For months, House Democrats have insisted on raising unworkable budget caps so Congress can responsibly fund our government and uphold our commitments to America’s families.

Unless Congress and the President act, the United States will face $125 billion in devastating cuts that will hurt American families and weaken our national security.

That’s why this bipartisan legislation to avoid this fiscal cliff is so critical.

It thoroughly rejects the President’s slash-and-burn budget proposal, which would have pulled the rug out from under families and communities by decimating initiatives and services that make a real difference in people’s lives.

Instead of reckless cuts, Democrats were successful in securing the largest-ever increase in base funding above sequestration levels.

With these more reasonable budget caps, we can undertake an orderly appropriations process to invest in critical domestic priorities For the People.

While this bipartisan deal represents a compromise, I am proud that it ends the senseless austerity of the Budget Control Act once and for all.

I urge support for this legislation, so that we can help give every American a better chance at a better life.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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