Thornberry Says Passing Omnibus Spending Bill Wrong Course For Country

WASHINGTON, DC – “Last week the Senate blocked passage of H.R. 1105, President Obama’s $410 billion “omnibus” spending bill,” said Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13).  “Unfortunately that was just a temporary reprieve for America’s taxpayers.  This massive spending bill combines what should have been nine separate bills into one bill that gives 12 major federal government departments and agencies a $30 billion increase in funding.  This new burden on taxpayers is the wrong course to encourage economic growth.”

Congressman Thornberry noted that, “At $410 billion and 1,132 pages this bill is massive in scope and in dollars.  It includes many policy directives that were never openly debated, as well as nearly 9,000 earmarks, many of dubious merit.”

“When the Senate delayed this bill last week I had some slight optimism that a way to freeze federal spending might be found,” concluded Congressman Thornberry.  “Unfortunately, typical Washington horse-trading prevailed and America’s hard-pressed taxpayers have been saddled with another $30 billion increase in spending on old-fashioned, big government programs.  Rather than going on another Beltway spending spree Congress should be encouraging small business capital formation, providing tax relief to working families and taking other measures to help get Americans working again.”

To view the full bill text of H.R. 1105, please click here.