Meuser Statement on Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019
WASHINGTON — Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) issued the following statement after speaking with President Donald J. Trump regarding the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2019:
"I have serious reservations about this bill, but during a deep-dive review and call with the President of the United States this morning, the President pointed out that this bill includes the following provisions:
- $22 billion increase in funding for the Department of Defense
- $9 billion increase for the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement the MISSION Act
- No restrictions on $7 billion of existing authorities granted to the President to provide for border wall construction
"This bill, which suspends the debt ceiling through July 2021, allows the Treasury Department to meet financial obligations agreed to in previous years – commitments made before I came to Congress. As a Balanced Budget Amendment supporter, I look forward to putting our fiscal house in order by cutting these spending obligations in the future.
"I do fully support the need to invest in our military and to increase border security, both of which are accomplished by the BBA. Of the $49 billion in new funding included in this bill, $31 billion goes specifically to veterans and defense.
"Further, the bill contains various pro-life policy provisions including the Hyde Amendment, which guarantees that federal taxpayer funds cannot be used to pay for abortions.
"While the bill does include $77 billion in offsetting measures, there are not as many as I would like. However, after a discussion with the President, with the House being in Democrat hands, it is believed that this is the best deal we can get. I am committed to being part of a Congress that gets serious about cutting spending, both discretionary and non-discretionary, and I fully believe the President is committed to this as well.
"For these reasons, I will be joining President Trump in his support for the BBA."