Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) issued the following statement Thursday after voting for a short-term continuing resolution which would fund our troops through the end of the year, cut an additional $12 billion in government spending, and prevent a government shutdown:
“Today I voted to take our troops out of the front lines of Washington’s political battles, cut more spending, and keep the government open. Senate Democrats have yet to support this or any budget resolution and our Commander in Chief has already said he will veto it without explanation. However, I will never compromise or stand down when it comes to supporting the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us.
“In addition to funding the troops through the end of FY2011, this stopgap measure will cut $12 billion more in Washington spending. At a time when our deficit is in the trillions and our government is on a verge of a shutdown, it is incomprehensible that Senate Democrats will not accept a modest cut that equals just two percent of this year’s budget.
“I want to encourage my friends in the Senate to pass this continuing resolution. The decision is simple: vote to pay our troops or walk away and let the government shut down.”
BACKGROUND:
The House has passed two bills that would keep the government running through the end of this fiscal year and cut $61 billion in job destroying spending. (H.R. 1, passed February 19th and H.R. 1255, passed April 1st). H.R. 1363 is the third bill out of the House to fund the Department of Defense through the end of the fiscal year.
47 days after the House passed the first bill to keep the government running through FY2011, the Senate has yet to do the same.
The House has also already passed a measure that would not allow Members of Congress to be paid during a government shutdown (H.R. 1255).