WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman released this statement after voting against H.R. 2740 - Departments Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2020.
“The funding bill that passed the House today is not only irresponsible, but has no future in the Senate. These bills have been considered without first adopting a bipartisan budget agreement to establish a topline number, which has led to out-of-control spending. The topline funding level House leadership used is $176 billion above the Budget Control Act. This could increase the potential of a government shutdown and trigger sequestration. If Congress spends above the caps, programs receive automatic cuts – including our nation’s military.
“Even though this partisan legislation massively increases spending, it still manages to underfunds critical programs that keep Americans safe. It neglects defense priorities by funding below the Department of Defense’s budget request, fails to address the humanitarian and security crisis at the border, reverses pro-life provisions, and provides millions for failing, ineffective outreach programs for ObamaCare.
“Within the defense appropriations section, this bill would delay construction on CVN81 for a year, meaning Virginia’s industrial base would suffer and would lead to increased costs of contract renegotiation. Additionally, the legislation would place new requirements on the production of the future Frigate, causing delays in delivery and could increase costs beyond a competitive range. It cuts $195 million for a Large Unmanned Surface Vessel, delaying Navy innovation of unmanned capabilities. Finally the bill does not appropriate any funds for amphibious ships, vital assets of our United States Marine Corps. This is unacceptable and these provisions must be worked out when this bill reaches the Conference Committee.”
