Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (116th Congress)
"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.
Appropriations Committee Republicans pushed back on the Democrats' radical abortion views during a Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee hearing yesterday. Instead of finalizing full-year appropriations bills, the majority party is focused on debating a longstanding, bipartisan policy that polls have shown the majority of Americans support.
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.
Madam Chair, at a time when millions of Americans are facing untold hardship as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and Congress still needs to pass full year appropriations bills to avoid a possible government shutdown, it is disappointing that our Committee is debating a longstanding, bipartisan policy that polls have shown the majority of Americans support. In fact, the provision we are discussing, the Hyde Amendment, has been signed into law by presidents of both parties since the 1970s.
The Hyde Amendment prevents federal taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for abortions, except for in limited cases to save the life of the mother or when the pregnancy resulted from an act of rape or incest.
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 – This week, House Republicans unveiled the "Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act" (H.R. 14), a targeted measure which would not only allow us to continue addressing the healthcare needs of those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, but also use the lessons learned from this pandemic to ensure we are better prepared for future outbreaks. The bill, which is authored by Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), includes provisions from the Appropriations Committee as well as the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees.
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.
