Meuser Statement on House Passage of H.R. 2740

WASHINGTON — Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 2740, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2020:

"Once again, Democrat leadership has opted to put their own partisan politics ahead of what is really important to the American people. For that reason, I opposed H.R. 2740, a partial fiscal year 2020 appropriations package.

On 17 separate occasions, House Republicans have attempted to pass legislation that would provide $4.5 billion in humanitarian assistance at the southern border, including $3.3 billion to fund shelter capacity for unaccompanied children. Democrats have repeatedly opposed these efforts, including voting down a motion from Budget Committee Ranking Member Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) that would've required the crisis be addressed by the House. This current, massive appropriations bill hikes government spending yet fails to provide funds to finally address the issues at our border.

This bill, which totals at nearly a $1 trillion cost, increases discretionary spending by $176 billion above current budget caps while simultaneously cutting Department of Defense procurement funds by $4.8 billion. Defense research and development is further cut $2.2 billion below the President's budget request, negatively impacting our ability to keep pace with other countries.

Democrat leadership must get realistic and come to the table to negotiate on important appropriations bills that actually help our country and have a chance of being signed into law."