Beyer Statement On Senate Republicans’ Proposed Continuing Resolution

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement on the Senate's proposed continuing resolution, which would extend current levels of government funding through January 30 while failing to address the expiration of critical health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that help millions of Americans afford health insurance:

"I will be voting no on Senate Republicans' proposed continuing resolution in the U.S. House. Republican leaders have turned their backs on Americans facing rising health care costs and refuse to engage in serious negotiations toward real solutions for the affordability crisis their own policies created. I have said from the beginning that my goal is to end the shutdown in a way that protects Americans from skyrocketing health care costs, and this bill fails that test.

"President Donald Trump prolonged the shutdown and intentionally made it worse for the American people. He illegally fired public servants across the country, illegally withheld government assistance that helps millions of Americans buy groceries, and threatened to deny federal employees the back pay they are legally owed.

"This legislation includes provisions to reverse recent reductions in force (RIFs), reinstate federal workers who were wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and prevent further RIFs through January 30. Should this continuing resolution become law, these protections must be rigorously enforced. But the larger legislation remains deeply flawed. In addition to not addressing the health care affordability crisis, it fails to address President Trump's illegal infringement upon Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending or rein in his administration's lawlessness.

"The American people deserve responsible legislation that ends the shutdown, prevents skyrocketing increases in health care costs, ensures our public servants receive the pay and protections they are legally owed, and upholds the Constitution. Anything less leaves American families, our federal workforce, and our democracy at risk."