Promote a Responsible Spending Debate, Keep Gov’t Running (Rep. Dave Reichert)

As lawmakers return to Washington, D.C. this week, we are unsure of what lies ahead. We know that a contentious federal spending debate will finally reach the boiling point because under current law, funding for the federal government ends this week. This leaves many uneasy, as rumors of pink slips at the Pentagon swirl, critical research at the National Institutes of Health slows, and funding for our troops hangs in the balance.

This is unnecessary and undeserved. There are critical government services that must remain open and are vital to the security of this nation. And while politicians wage partisan attacks, Americans are growing increasingly concerned. What’s good for politicians is not always good for the American people.

Many in Congress engaged in this spending fight are looking for political gain from the publicity stunts. Meanwhile, America’s veterans and countless others who depend on federal benefits and services wait for Congress to lay the groundwork for the fiscal year that began more than two months ago.

I support healthy debate on federal spending — but not at the expense of our troops and other critical programs. That’s why I’ve introduced the Preventing Government Shutdown Act (H.R.3508) with my colleague Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas).  Our bill would enact an automatic continuing resolution to prevent the government from shutting down while Congress negotiates appropriate federal spending levels for our constituents.

Budgets are about priorities. There are areas I believe we should increase funding, and areas I believe we should cut funding. But this is a different world than 1995 when the government last shut down, pre-9/11. We now have critical homeland security interests and we are at war. We should not threaten and cannot allow a shutdown of programs while a political, partisan fight ensues over federal spending.

With all of the differences in opinion that we’ve heard over federal spending, I hope that my colleagues take a serious look at our legislation.  Let’s assure our constituents that the benefits and services they rely upon will continue as we come to consensus on the appropriate spending of taxpayer dollars.  Let’s give our constituents the peace of mind that Congress will do its job and keep America free and moving forward.