Commentary: Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5325, which includes a short-term continuing resolution (CR) through December 9, 2016. Congressman Pearce issued the following statement after voting ‘no’ on this legislation:
“Almost a year ago today, the House passed a nearly identical bill, which only funds the government for 2 months. Congress’ goal should be to provide certainty, honesty, and reliability to every New Mexican business and family through a full year budget. Lauding an 11 week spending bill as a victory is exactly why the American people are fed up with Congress and the federal government. They expect better, and so must Congress.
“We were sent to Congress to decide on difficult issues and make difficult choices. Every May, Congress has great hope for passing the budget through ‘regular order’ one bill at a time, allowing agencies, contractors, and family businesses alike to plan for the year to come. Yet every year, Congress waits until the last minute, allowing the budget to become a political football for both sides to fight over. This is totally unacceptable. Funding the government weeks at a time has a wide ranging negative impact on the New Mexican economy. Businesses will not have the confidence to buy new equipment or hire more employees, without knowing if their government grant or contract will be fully funded for the year to come. Tourism will suffer, as staffs at the National Parks and Monuments in New Mexico will have to delay maintenance and new projects designed to enhance the visitors experience. DOE and the contractors at WIPP will struggle to restart the site, without the knowledge of their budget for the year to come. On military bases, key decisions regarding support facilities, family services, and solider moral will be put on the back burner. And our schools and roads will continue to suffer and deteriorate, as projects dependent on PILT, SRS, and other federal funding sources will be delayed, until Congress provides greater budget certainty. Businesses and families cannot operate running week-to-week. Nor should the Federal government.
“This bill perpetuates failed policies that year after year prevent the House and Senate from making the real progress and change it needs. While I hope over the next two months, Congress crafts a budget that will truly benefit New Mexico and provide the certainty our nation needs, Congress must end the cycle of short-term, last minute spending deals. We must fulfill our duty and responsibility to the American people by providing stable, year-long budgets. We cannot work on the major issues facing our nation such as creating jobs, reducing the debt, and tackling immigration, if we merely plan to fund the government one month at a time,” said Congressman Pearce.