Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

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 –

I want to thank Chairman Serrano and Ranking Member Aderholt for their work on the fiscal year 2021 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill, and for their leadership on this Committee.

From efforts to combat criminal threats and protect children, to programs that strengthen U.S. competitiveness, this bill supports many important priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle.

It helps our nation's innovators and manufacturers and invests in cutting-edge research and technology.

I commend Chairman Serrano and Chairwoman Lowey for maintaining provisions that protect life.

However, there are several items that concern me. For example, long-standing language carried for many years to protect Second Amendment rights is stripped from the bill.

Also, the bill makes new investments in science, but only selectively. For example, there is not a penny more for NASA.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

I rise in opposition to the subcommittee allocations because they do not give a complete picture of all of the spending in these appropriations bills.

Instead of working with us to develop bills consistent with the budget agreement that was reached last year, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have unilaterally decided to include hundreds of billions of dollars in so-called "emergency" spending for things that really are not emergencies.

• Almost $200 billion dollars for infrastructure;
• Nearly $35 billion dollars to respond to the coronavirus on top of the trillions already appropriated; and
• $12.5 billion for veterans, even though it was known last year that these costs would rise.

In total, there is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional deficit spending not included in these allocations.