Press Releases

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after voting against Republicans’ cruel and partisan funding bill that abandons the American people:

“Democrats are always looking for bipartisan compromise and ways to support keeping the doors of government open and services flowing to the American people. Over the past 2 years that Republicans have controlled the House, Democrats have repeatedly stepped up when Republicans proved they couldn’t govern, providing the majority of votes to keep government open for the people.

“What the Republicans put forth today was shameful. At a time when millions of people are at risk of losing their health care, seniors are at risk of losing their earned benefits, and veterans and thousands of federal workers are losing their jobs en masse, there is nothing in this bill for the people. 

“The idea that this was a ‘clean’ Continuing Resolution is nonsensical. Republicans are cutting programs that they supported just a week ago. Cuts to health care, job training, even zeroing out funding to care for veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits. 

“If that wasn’t enough, they are abdicating their most important Constitutional obligation - oversight over the Executive Branch on trade. Republicans have unequivocally showed us who they are - cowards who kowtow to the President on everything including the economy.  They’ve abandoned their jobs and their constituents whose wallets are hurting due to the President’s indifference to the impacts his trade war is having on American families. 

“This is a cruel, unserious funding bill. Democrats will not give the Administration a blank check to lawlessly dismantle our institutions or rob the people of critical investments and services.” 

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