Inglis votes against government spending bill

(September 25, 2008)

U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) voted against H.R. 2638, The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009, which passed by a vote of 370-58 yesterday afternoon, with one member voting present.

The current appropriations to fund the government expire September 30, 2008. The bill would have funded most of the government at current levels until March 6, 2009, costing over $1 trillion.

“I could have supported a ‘clean’ continuing resolution that funded the government until Congress could return to complete its work in November, but adding billions in non-emergency spending and extending funding until next March was unacceptable,” Inglis said.

The bill included $6.5 billion for Community Development Block Grants and $600 million for Social Services Block Grants. It also included three full appropriations bills, costing $600 billion, which spent $2 billion more than the President requested in his fiscal year 2009 budget.

“During this time of financial crisis, we should not let Congress adjourn for the year in September. We should return as soon as possible to continue working for the priorities of all Americans."

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