Granger Remarks on Democrats' Six-Bill Appropriations Package
Jul 19, 2022
Statements
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Kay Granger (TX), the Lead Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on the Democrats' six-bill appropriations package. The package includes Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Energy and Water Development; Financial Services and General Government; Interior and Environment; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bills for fiscal year 2023.
Madam Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8294, a package of six appropriations bills.
As we sit here today, inflation is 9.1% above last year, the highest it’s been in more than 40 years. Economists recommend American households budget an extra $5,000 this year to cover rising prices – that is over $400 a month. Many families simply cannot afford this.
Under this administration, prices of everyday goods have skyrocketed. For example:
- Gas prices hit an unprecedented $5 a gallon;
- Energy services like electricity and natural gas are up 19%; and
- Groceries have increased over 12%, the biggest jump since 1979.
Americans are paying more for just about everything.
The social spending pushed by Members on the other side of the aisle is a key driver of today’s inflation. Simply put, record-high spending by the government means record-high prices for the American people.
Unfortunately, the bills before us do not reduce spending or reflect the economic realities we face. Many of these bills receive double-digit percentage increases, including:
The social spending pushed by Members on the other side of the aisle is a key driver of today’s inflation. Simply put, record-high spending by the government means record-high prices for the American people.
Unfortunately, the bills before us do not reduce spending or reflect the economic realities we face. Many of these bills receive double-digit percentage increases, including:
- A 17% increase for Financial Services and General Government;
- An 18% increase for Interior and Environment; and
- A 12.2% increase for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.
At a time when Americans are struggling to pay for gas and groceries, the federal government should be reducing spending. We should prioritize core responsibilities, such as our national security, and we must cut extravagant social programs.
In addition to my concerns about funding levels, the policies proposed in these bills do not reflect a bipartisan agreement. In particular, the bills before us today:
In addition to my concerns about funding levels, the policies proposed in these bills do not reflect a bipartisan agreement. In particular, the bills before us today:
- Drop long-standing pro-life protections that prevent taxpayer funding of abortions;
- Allow for the closure and transfer of dangerous criminals from Guantanamo Bay to the United States; and
- Worsen our nation’s energy crisis.
Just a few short months ago, we were able to come to an agreement and enact the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills. Those bills continued long-standing policies supported in the past by Members of both parties and dropped new controversial provisions. I hope we will be able to do the same this year so that these bills can get to the president’s desk and be signed into law.
I urge a no vote and reserve the balance of my time.
I urge a no vote and reserve the balance of my time.