Remarks

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8900 – a continuing resolution that will fund the government through December 18th.

Members of the Appropriations Committee have been negotiating night and day for weeks to reach agreement on full-year appropriations bills.

At the same time, House and Senate leaders continue to discuss a coronavirus relief package with the Administration.

It is my hope that we can complete both of these important pieces of legislation as soon as possible.

There is so much at stake – our national security, the health and well-being of millions of Americans, and our economic recovery.

Passing this one week C.R. is simply a stop-gap measure. I expect we will be back on the floor next week to complete the year's work.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this continuing resolution so that the Senate can pass it and send it to the president for signature.

Madam Chair, at a time when millions of Americans are facing untold hardship as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and Congress still needs to pass full year appropriations bills to avoid a possible government shutdown, it is disappointing that our Committee is debating a longstanding, bipartisan policy that polls have shown the majority of Americans support. In fact, the provision we are discussing, the Hyde Amendment, has been signed into law by presidents of both parties since the 1970s.

The Hyde Amendment prevents federal taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for abortions, except for in limited cases to save the life of the mother or when the pregnancy resulted from an act of rape or incest.

Mister Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill.

Unfortunately, by considering this bill today we are abandoning the spirit of bipartisanship that has allowed us to work across the aisle four times this year to pass critical coronavirus relief legislation.

This bill was crafted without input from Members on our side of the aisle, and it does not have the support needed to pass the Senate or be signed by the President.

There are some things included that I support, such as –

• Helping small businesses that are desperate for a lifeline,
• Enabling the airline industry to continue to pay its employees,
• Providing additional assistance to help schools continue reopening, and
• Increasing testing for the virus.

Yet, I cannot overlook – nor can I overstate – the significant problems I have with this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8337, a short-term continuing resolution through December 11th.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted virtually every aspect of American life.

During this unprecedented time, it is more critical than ever that the federal government remain open and functioning.

By passing this short-term CR, we will:

As the Republican Leader of the Appropriations Committee, I oppose H.R. 7617, the second package of fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills to be considered by the House.

My concerns today will sound very familiar. I had many of the same objections when I spoke on the House floor last week about the first package of appropriations bills.

I regret that I again oppose a very important piece of legislation.

This bill supports –

Mister Speaker, I offer this motion today to restore funding levels for a bipartisan priority to counter China.

The amendment adds $102 million to restore funding for the Countering Chinese Influence Fund to the current fiscal year level of $300 million.

We can all agree that the Chinese Communist Party is actively working against U.S. interests all over the globe – from space technology, to deceptive trading practices, to their outsized influence in pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

The threat from China is significant, and now is not the time to retreat in our efforts to stop their destructive actions.

The Countering Chinese Influence Fund was established last year to address the growing reality that Beijing has a foothold in areas of critical importance, including in our own back yard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today in opposition to H.R. 7608, the first package of fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills to be considered by the House.

I wish the circumstances were different and I could support this very important piece of legislation that funds many key programs.

This bill supports –

• The veterans who have honorably served our country;
• The diplomats who promote American businesses and our values around the world;
• The farmers and ranchers who put food on our tables; and
• The custodians of our parks and public lands who protect our national treasures.

Unfortunately, I am not able to support the bill before us because it has some fatal flaws.