Skip to main content

Newhouse Statement on No Vote for Budget Package

February 9, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

"The legislation that was agreed to in the House and the Senate essentially writes a blank check to enable the federal government to continue to accumulate debt. I have been a vocal proponent of addressing the federal government's out-of-control spending, and as the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warned, our growing debt is the greatest threat to our national security. We must find ways to rein in our national debt," said Rep. Newhouse. "The people of the 4th Congressional District demand better and expect their representatives to promote fiscal responsibility, not advance policies that borrow over $1 million a minute.

"While there are many provisions within the bill that I support, such as providing the critical funding that our troops and our military deserve and the extension of funding for Community Health Centers, the House of Representatives has already passed legislation doing so. This package simply does not address important priorities for Central Washington."

Background: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 provides a raise in discretionary spending caps that is larger than the last three raises combined. It suspends the debt limit without spending controls, and it retroactively extends dozens of tax credits and deductions – effectively undermining the historic comprehensive and simplified tax reform that Congress passed with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The House passed all 12 Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2018, and the Senate has yet to consider them. Congress cannot continue to fund the government in short spurts or with large spending packages that do not responsibly address America's crippling debt.

On February 6, 2018, Rep. Newhouse voted in support of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through March 23, 2018, while fully funding the Department of Defense for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2018. The legislation, which was approved in the House of Representatives, also provided a two-year extension of funding for Community Health Centers. Additionally, in November, Rep. Newhouse voted for passage of the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act, which would extend funding for the Community Health Center Fund (CHCF) for two additional years.