Chairman Rogers Statement on Three Week Continuing Resolution to Prevent Government Shutdown, Cut $6 Billion in Spending
Apr 12, 2011
Statements
Chairman Rogers Statement on Three Week Continuing Resolution to Prevent Government Shutdown, Cut $6 Billion in Spending
House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers gave the following statement on the floor of the House today in support of a Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res. 48) that will prevent a government shut down for an additional three weeks, while cutting $6 billion in non-security discretionary spending.
The statement by Rogers follows:
“I rise today to support H.J. Res 48, the fiscal year 2011 Further Continuing Appropriations Resolution. This temporary CR will allow us to avoid a government shutdown that could otherwise occur on March 18, while cutting spending by $6 billion to control our nation’s staggering deficits and to facilitate the continued recovery of our nation’s economy.
“We’ve made it clear that a government shutdown is not an option – period. We will not allow this to happen on our watch.
“This bill funds the government for an additional three weeks – until April 8 – maintaining the critical support the government provides to the American people and allowing for the necessary time to complete negotiations on a final, long-term agreement for the remainder of fiscal year 2011.
“While funding the essential government agencies and programs, this CR makes $6 billion in spending cuts – trimming $2 billion for every week of funding – to continue our efforts to rein in spending and putting a dent in our massive and unsustainable deficit.
“H.J. Res 48 reduces or terminates a total of 25 programs for a savings of $3.5 billion. These cuts include funding rescissions, reductions and program terminations.
“It also eliminates earmark accounts within the Agriculture; Commerce, Justice and Science; Financial Service and General Government; and Interior subcommittee jurisdictions – saving the American taxpayers $2.6 billion in earmark spending, which the President and both Houses of Congress have agreed they do not support.
“These cuts are a tough but necessary step to help balance our budgets and halt the dangerous, downward spiral of skyrocketing deficits.
"While a short-term funding measure such as this is not the preferable way to fund the government, at this point, it is vital. The budget for fiscal year 2011 – which was punted to us by the previous Congress – is long, long overdue. I agree with many of my colleagues that we must get down to business and come to a final agreement as quickly as possible.
“Our economy must not be threatened by perpetual government shutdowns -- which create uncertainty and a loss of confidence for job-creators across the country. This CR provides us with an appropriate length of time for negotiations, makes good on our promise to the American people to cut spending, provides certainty and stability, and allows essential federal programs to continue while negotiations ensue.
“I am hopeful that this CR can be passed swiftly so we can address the realities of our debt and deficit crisis, and begin to put the nation on the right budget path for the next fiscal year.
“Mr. Speaker, our constituents have asked us to whip our spending into shape, to provide solutions that help our economy grow and to help our citizens get jobs. This CR addresses their expectations responsibly over the short term and is just one of the set of bills we intend to produce over the next year that will continue to put our nation’s budgets back on track and help our economy continue on the road to recovery.”