This week, the House of Representatives debated the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2013. Congressman Serrano serves on the subcommittee responsible for this bill, but voted against the bill because of inadequate funding levels and numerous policy riders added during the debate.
"I am disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle have turned this into another election year charade," said Serrano. "By adding numerous politically charged policy riders, Republicans have only shown just extreme their agenda is.
"As importantly, I am disappointed that both the Legal Services Corporation, which funds free legal aid for low-income Americans, and the Census Bureau, which helps our nation better understand the effect of our policies and needs for the future, were not sufficiently funded. The underfunding of these important programs is due to the fact that the Republicans have chosen to break with last year's bipartisan budget agreement."
"Because of these concerns, I voted against the bill," continued Serrano. "However, I will continue to work to ensure that the final bill better reflects the priorities of the people of the Bronx."
During debate on the bill, Republicans attached numerous amendments to the bill attacking the Department of Justice, and attempting to obstruct their current efforts to protect the right to vote, to overturn discriminatory state immigration policies, and to prevent discrimination in the workplace.
The bill passed by a vote of 247 -163.
Source: http://serrano.house.gov/serrano-report-vol-ix-10
