WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement on his vote against H.R. 2872, the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act:
“Today, I voted against the temporary spending bill passed by the House to extend the expiration dates for the appropriations process. This was the fourth continuing resolution voted on by the House in the past year. In September, we had the opportunity to pass a solution that would have kept the government open, secured the border, cut reckless government spending, and established a bicameral Fiscal Commission. Every single Democrat, and unfortunately, 21 Republicans voted against it. With the rejection of the conservative spending and border security bill, and the unexpected Speaker election, I voted with my colleagues on alternative approaches to provide ample time for Congress to complete the appropriations process.
"Nearly four months later, the crisis at the border is worse than it’s ever been, and Americans are continuing to struggle to make ends meet due to high prices. Today’s bill to extend the deadline into March means that we will likely be over halfway through the Fiscal Year 2024 before the 2024 funding is approved by Congress. If there is a strategic play to be made on the 2024 budget, it is past time to make it. Because we are currently operating under a staggered CR, the most critical components of government funding including our military and border security do not expire until February 2nd, which gives us two more weeks to pass funding measures or to extend the 2024 CR for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2024, which would take shutdowns off the table while creating the most leverage to finish appropriations or to shift focus and begin work on the 2025 budget and funding bills. I would support either of these approaches, but not kicking the funding can down the road into the second half of the fiscal year.
"I remain committed to working with my colleagues on conservative solutions to cut wasteful government spending, secure the border, and support our men and women in uniform.”
The Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act:
Extends currently enacted government funding expiration dates that Congress passed in November 2023.
Extends the January 19th date to March 1st for the following appropriations bills:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies
Energy and Water Development
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Extends the February 2nd date to March 8th for the following appropriations bills:
Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies
Department of Defense
Financial Services and General Government
Homeland Security
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Legislative Branch
State and Foreign Operations and Related Programs
