Homeland Security (116th Congress)
(202) 225-3481
Ranking Member: Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee
"Mister Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill that will provide funding for the Federal Government through the end of this fiscal year, as well as provide another round of desperately needed relief for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
There is so much at stake – our national security, the health and well-being of millions of Americans, and our economic recovery.
Passing this one week C.R. is simply a stop-gap measure. I expect we will be back on the floor next week to complete the year's work.
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this continuing resolution so that the Senate can pass it and send it to the president for signature.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) issued the following statement after being reelected by Members of the House Republican Steering Committee to serve as Lead Republican of the House Appropriations Committee.
"It is an honor to have served on the Committee for more than two decades now, and I am once again humbled by the support of my colleagues to continue serving as the Committee's Lead Republican.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), Lead Republican for the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the House passed yet another partisan coronavirus relief bill forced by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats.
"Our nation has relied on the actions of Congress and the Administration to weather this pandemic. Up to this point, four bipartisan relief bills have been signed into law, but today that spirit of bipartisanship was abandoned by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats.
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 –
- Helping small businesses that are desperate for a lifeline,
- Enabling the airline industry to continue to pay its employees,
- Providing additional assistance to help schools continue reopening, and
- Increasing testing for the virus.
Yet, I cannot overlook – nor can I overstate – the significant problems I have with this bill.
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:
WASHINGTON – Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), Lead Republican for the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 8337, a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to continue federal funding through December 11, 2020. Among the issues Granger fought for were assistance for farmers and ranchers through the Commodity Credit Corporation and a nutrition program for low-income students who are out of school. The final agreement comes after Speaker Pelosi initially walked away from a bipartisan agreement to include these two items.
WASHINGTON – Today, the full committee met to consider the fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills for Homeland Security and Financial Services. Committee Republicans expressed concern about several controversial policy and spending proposals.
I would like to thank the Subcommittee Chairwoman and the Ranking Member for their leadership on the Homeland Security appropriations bill.
All of our states and communities are experiencing a public health crisis, and the Department of Homeland Security is one of the agencies on the front lines.
During these challenging times, the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security have continued their mission at the ports of entry, along the border, and in our communities – responding to emergencies and saving lives across the nation.
That is why I am particularly concerned about some of the choices made in this bill.
The Department has demonstrated continuously how important it is that they have the resources to protect our nation from threats.
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.
