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Van Hollen Statement on H.J. Res. 117, Six-Month Continuing Resolution
Washington,
Sep 13, 2012 -
Mr. Speaker, this Continuing Resolution will fund the government through March 27, 2013, avoid a government shutdown and maintain critical programs and services for the American people. It is not in every respect the bill I would have written, but it is consistent with the Budget Control Act of 2011 and reflects the bipartisan and bicameral agreement that is possible at this time.
H.J. Res. 117 funds the government at an annualized rate of $1.047 trillion, meets the President’s request for Overseas Contingency Operations and includes modest increases for activities including cybersecurity, wildfire suppression and processing disability claims at the Veterans Administration.
While I am gratified that today’s legislation also includes a clean, six-month extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, I regret that H.J. Res 117 continues to block common sense light bulb efficiency standards that would benefit consumers and the environment. Additionally, after two years of frozen pay, I believe federal workers should receive President Obama’s recommended .5% cost-of-living adjustment at the beginning of the fiscal year.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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Congressman Chris Van Hollen
