Rep. Calvert Blasts Pseudo-Continuing Resolution
REP. CALVERT BLASTS PSEUDO-CONTINUING RESOLUTION
Today Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Corona) voted against the $463 billion Democrat spending bill, H.J.Res. 20, which passed the House 286 - 140.
"This bill is spending almost half a trillion American taxpayer dollars without so much as a hearing, an amendment or mark-up," said Rep. Calvert. "Where is the openness the Democrats promised the American people?"
Rep. Calvert voted for the Republican Motion to Recommit which would have moved to shut off funding for roughly $500 million in earmarks and use that money to restore anti-drug enforcement levels, as well as to increase support for military housing.
Specifically, the Republican Motion to Recommit sought to address Democrat cuts to the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Military Construction and Quality of Life portion of the budget:
In total, H.J.Res. 20 cut $39 million and 157 agents from DEA. This funding is used to fight Methamphetamines, violent drug crimes, and drug trafficking.
H.J.Res. 20 also reduces the President's FY07 request for the Military Construction and Quality of Life Appropriations bill by $3.5 billion. The House passed FY07 bill included $5.54 billion in funding (the President's request included $5.62 billion). The Democrat "CRomnibus", however, includes just $2.48 billion dollars.
Unfortunately the flawed legislation illogically dictates the priorities of the various governmental departments through transfer funds and $500 million in earmarks.
"While the bill provides millions for duplicative activities at the Department of Energy, it cuts $545 million from the 2007 requested level for NASA," stated Rep. Calvert, former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. "This cut will most impact development of the shuttle's replacement vehicle, the Orion. We cannot expect NASA to create the future of exploration on yesterday's budget. The United States cannot afford to lose its edge because catching up later may no longer be an option. Unfortunately, the Democrats missed the opportunity to support our space program at a time when other countries, such as China, are ramping up their space activities."
http://calvert.house.gov/pressreleases.asp?ARTICLE4024=12623