Granger Remarks on H.R. 4346, FY22 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4346, the fiscal year 2022 Legislative Branch appropriations bill. 

I wish I could support this important piece of legislation, but unfortunately, it has too many flaws, and it does not reflect the type of bipartisan agreement that we must have to complete the appropriations process this year. 

At a time of record-high deficits and debt, now is not the time to double-down on increasing domestic spending. 

This bill alone includes a nearly 13% increase over current levels.

The bill also includes riders that are more appropriately addressed by authorizing committees, specifically related to immigration policy.

In addition, the committee report is loaded with unnecessary, partisan requirements for the Capitol Police that will make it more difficult for them to carry out their mission. 

The committee report also expands data collection efforts on individuals working in the Capitol and testifying before Congress, including sensitive payroll and financial information.

This is not the way to do business if we want to enact full-year appropriations bills this year.

We must develop topline spending levels that both sides can support, and we also must agree to drop controversial policy provisions. 

If we want to avoid a long-term continuing resolution—or worse, a government shutdown—we must get serious and do the work our constituents sent us here to do.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill, and I yield back.