Peters Votes Against Irresponsible Short-Term Continuing Resolution

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) voted against a continuing resolution (CR) that would extend government funding at current levels through December 4, 2026. Rep. Peters opposed the bill both on fiscal grounds and because the resolution does not include language to restrict the Administration from directing appropriated funds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Bordel Patrol.

ICE and the Border Patrol currently have about $220 billion in unspent funds-a stockpile larger than the U.S. Marines and FBI combined-and are currently operating without proper guardrails to keep Americans safe. Agents have unjustifiably killed American citizens and people who were not the intended targets of enforcement operations.

"This Republican majority keeps passing continuing resolution after continuing resolution instead of trying to work with Democrats on a bipartisan appropriations process built on the standard 12 individual funding bills," Rep. Peters said. "I understand the instinct to avoid another shutdown, but this bill wasn't brought to us in good faith. We need a more regular budgeting process that actually cuts wasteful spending, instead of just punting the fight down the road."

During consideration of the bill, Rep. Peters offered an amendment to add guardrails from his Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act. The amendment would limit the use of military-style equipment, require always-on body cameras, and increase de-escalation training for federal agents. The amendment was not included in the final bill.

"Families in San Diego and across the country are living in fear because of CBP and ICE's poor training and non-existent standards," Rep. Peters continued. "In the past two weeks, we've seen agents kill two people-individuals who were not even the intended targets-while not wearing body cameras and without facing any consequences. Republicans want to borrow more money for these agencies to carry out their reckless immigration agenda, without a single guardrail. That's a non-starter in any spending bill I support."

Background: Rep. Peters has repeatedly spoken out against Congress's habit of funding the government through continuing resolutions rather than passing full budgets on time. As co-chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum with Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Peters helped reintroduce the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act (PGSA) alongside Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington and a bipartisan group of colleagues. The bill would create an automatic continuing resolution at current spending levels whenever appropriations lapse, along with other incentives to push Congress toward completing appropriations work on time.

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