Post by bot on May 22, 2016 16:50:01 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on House Republicans' Failure to Pass a Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on House Republicans abandoning the budget process and bringing appropriations bills to the Floor this week without a budget:
"With their decision to start bringing appropriations bills to the Floor this week, Republicans are finally admitting that they have failed to pass a budget for Fiscal Year 2017. Budgets set priorities and reflect the investments we wish to make for the future. They also provide guidance to the Appropriations Committee as it conducts its work of funding government operations and federal investments in national defense and economic growth. Republicans, including Speaker Ryan, have repeatedly said that advancing a budget is one of the most important - if not the most important - responsibilities of governing.
"This failure to pass a budget is the latest example of a Republican Majority sharply divided and consequently paralyzed, unable to carry out the basic acts of governance expected by the American people and demanded by our system of government. As we consider appropriations bills, Speaker Ryan and Leader McCarthy ought to learn from this failure and facilitate a bipartisan appropriations process. They ought to bring Republicans together with Democrats, because it is now clear that they do not have the votes for their extreme budget that disinvests in our nation’s future.
"I urge Republican leaders to abandon their extreme positions and instead reach across the aisle to achieve the bipartisanship necessary to invest in a strong future for America by bringing appropriations to the Floor that reflect consensus and commonsense."