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.

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.

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 –

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.