Lewis Statement on Democrat’s Cancellation of the Mark Up of a Critical War Funding and Disaster Relief Bill

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Ranking Republican Jerry Lewis made the following statement today in response to the Democrats’ cancellation of a committee mark up of the Fiscal Year 2010 Emergency Supplemental which would fund urgent defense and disaster assistance efforts:

 

“I am disappointed that the Majority decided to cancel today’s mark up of a critical war and disaster assistance supplemental funding bill, especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend.

 

“While Republican members of the Appropriations committee were opposed to the billions in extraneous ‘jobs’ funding that was attached to the Democrat version of this legislation, we were anxious to start the process in order to get much-needed funding to our troops on the ground and into recovery efforts in Haiti and along the Gulf Coast.  Republicans were prepared to stay all night to get this vital bill through committee, and were ready with over 30 amendments to reduce the unnecessary spending in the bill and improve the final product. We anxiously await the rescheduling of the mark up of this urgently needed legislation.”