JONES VOTES AGAINST EXCESSIVE SPENDING IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Third District Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) yesterday continued his strong stand against expanding the federal government by voting against H.R. 3043 - a bill which passed by a vote of 276 to 140 and would provide dramatic increases in taxpayer funding for the federal departments of Labor, Health & Human Services and Education. The $152 billion bill is $7 billion over last year's bill and $11 billion over President Bush's request. The Bush Administration has threatened a veto unless funding is reduced. Jones and a majority of House Republicans made four attempts to cut overall spending through amendments, but all were voted down. Jones also voted for amendments to prevent taxpayer money from being sent to Planned Parenthood; from being used to print federal student loan applications in languages other than English; and from being used to make Social Security payments to Mexican citizens. The amendments on Planned Parenthood and student loan applications in English failed, while the Social Security amendment passed.
"With the public debt at nearly $9 trillion, and with the federal government continuing to run annual deficits of $200 to $300 billion, the sad fact is this nation is on the fast track to bankruptcy," said Congressman Jones. "At a time like this, it's incredibly irresponsible to be increasing spending, especially on things like the Federal Department of Education - which I believe should be eliminated," said Congressman Jones. "Hopefully Congress will wake up before sending this bloated bill to the President. Otherwise, I look forward to voting to uphold his veto."
Below is a description and final tally of the votes on amendments mentioned above, plus Congressman Jones' position on those amendments:
Gingrey (GA) - To prohibit funds in the bill from being used to administer Social Security benefit payments to Mexican citizens under the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement - Passed 254 to 168 - Jones voted Yes.
Westmoreland (GA) - To prohibit funds in the bill from being used by the Department of Education to publish or process the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in a language other than English - Failed 191 to 233 - Jones voted Yes.
Pence (IN) - To prohibit use of funds for Planned Parenthood - Failed 189 to 231 - Jones voted Yes.
Jordan (OH) - To reduce funding by 4.6% to the FY2007 level ($7 billion reduction - Failed 136 to 288 - Jones voted Yes.
Price (GA) - To reduce funding by 1%, or $1.5 billion - Failed 165 to 256 - Jones voted Yes.
Musgrave (CO) - To reduce funding by .5%, or $759 million - Failed 177 to 245 - Jones voted Yes.
Campbell (CA) - To reduce funding by .25%, or $379 million - Failed 177 to 245 - Jones voted Yes.