Smucker Statement on Government Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-16) issued the following statement after voting in support of the continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30th, 2017:
"I came to Congress to help modernize and reform our federal government, and to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do what is best for our constituents. While far from perfect, passing this bipartisan funding bill today to keep the government running is the right thing to do.
"However, this is just another short-term fix, and another example of Congress governing from one funding crisis to the next. That is why I have urged House Budget Committee Chairman Diane Black to hold a hearing on comprehensive budget process reform. It is also why I cosponsored "No Budget, No Pay" legislation and bills to reform the broken budget process. Congress must be accountable to the American people, and the system needs to work again.
"I am pleased that this bill increases funding for the National Institutes of Health, strengthens our military, reaffirms the Hyde amendment to prevent funding for abortions, and supports nationwide efforts to combat the opioid epidemic that has swept across Pennsylvania and the nation. But these priorities should have been achieved through regular order in an open and transparent manner. I will continue to fight for them, and needed reforms to the process."