Congress on Thursday passed a short-term spending measure, the Further Extending Government Funding Act, to temporarily fund the federal government through mid-February.
The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 221-212, while the U.S. Senate passed the measure by a 69-28 margin.
Alabama’s congressional delegation voted 7-2 against the continuing resolution, with the only two voting in favor being U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) asserted that by funding government on a temporary rather than annual basis, governmental agencies face financial uncertainty.
“Continuing Resolutions, by their very nature, hurt national security, NASA, and countless private sector contractors and businesses,” the North Alabama congressman advised. “Temporary funding deprives agencies and contractors of the ability to plan long-term, make sound financial decisions, and hire new employees. Under a continuing resolution, agencies cannot begin new programs, thus trapping research and development in the past and hindering government agencies’ use of the latest technological innovations. Congress should fund the government through annual appropriations bills that give departments certainty of funding so that they can operate as efficiently as possible.”
Echoing Brooks’ concerns was U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), who indicated that the current spending process poses a threat to national security.
“Today, I voted against the Continuing Resolution that just kicks the can further down the road. One thing I hear from leaders across all Services is that multiple CRs are actively damaging military readiness,” said Rogers. “Continuing our current levels of Defense funding until February 18th is inexcusable in the face of threats from China and other enemies, especially after the Biden Administration has proven they are unwilling to fully fund our military. House Democrats chose to spend the past year bickering over their socialist spending spree instead of performing one of our most basic constitutional duties. This CR is another example of Democrats’ inability to govern.”
In a statement provided to Yellowhammer News, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) proclaimed that he voted against the bill “because a continuing resolution is no way to govern.”
He added, “Democrats have spent this entire year focused on pushing through colossal social spending programs while failing to work with Republicans on one of the most basic functions of Congress: funding the federal government. They are also bent on removing the longstanding, historically bi-partisan protections that prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for abortions. This is, quite simply, a nonstarter for me and my fellow Republicans.”
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and congressional progressives by asserting that their priorities had been focused on “social issues” rather than other pressing matters.
“I voted against the continuing resolution because Congress has a basic duty to properly fund the federal government each year, rather than continually kicking the can down the road with a temporary bandage,” advised Carl. “Additionally, this temporary funding bill is devastating to our national security because it prevents our armed forces from being able to keep up with our enemies around the globe.”
The South Alabama congressman further stated, “For months, critical fiscal deadlines have been approaching, but Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress wasted an incredible amount of time on social issues and their ridiculous “Build Back Better” agenda. The American people deserve better from their representatives, so it’s time for Congress to get serious about doing its job.”
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) took to social media to convey his dissent to what he referred to as the majority party’s “radical tax-and-spend agenda.”
I voted NO on the latest Democrat short-term spending bills. Democrats have been so focused on sticking the American people with their radical tax-and-spend agenda that they have once again neglected to perform the basic role of government.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) December 2, 2021
An aide to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) told Yellowhammer News that his opposition to the bill stemmed from the fact that the legislation failed to include a measure proposed by Senate conservatives to defund President Joe Biden’s employer vaccine mandate.
Alabama’s junior senator and 14 of his fellow Republican colleagues sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) outlining their intentions to oppose legislation that enables the enforcement of the mandate.
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) expressed that he was satisfied Congress had reached a short-term spending deal.
“I’m pleased that we have finally reached an agreement on the continuing resolution,” Shelby stated. “Now we must get serious about completing FY22 bills. I have said many times that work can only begin if we agree to start FY22 where we finished FY21. That means maintaining legacy riders, eliminating poison pills, and getting serious about the funding we are going to provide for our nation’s defense. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll be having this same conversation in February.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
