Blog: Congressman Jim Bridenstine Opposes Arming Syrian Rebels and Governing by Continuing Resolution

Statement

On Wednesday, I opposed a measure in the House of Representatives to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government until December 11, 2014. I also opposed an amendment to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels to fight ISIS.

I oppose the idea of governing by Continuing Resolution. Though the House of Representatives has passed appropriations bills, the Senate refuses to take a vote on them. Last year when Harry Reid refused to pass any appropriations bills, it led to a partial government shut down. When Congress operates from CR to CR, the people lose their representation. The government has been funded at the same levels for the last five years because there has been no appropriations funding and the continuing resolutions maintain the same levels of funding.

Additionally, there was an amendment to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight ISIS. If ISIS is a threat to our national security, they should be dealt with hard and eliminate it. These proposed measures would not meet our objective and could potentially endanger our men and women overseas. I believe we need to take the threat of ISIS very seriously and I am not convinced the Presidents proposed plan achieves that goal.

I truly believe that we need to get our fiscal house in order and as such I will continue to support appropriations to fund the government the way it was intended in order to fully represent the people of Oklahoma. Additionally, I will continue to voice my concern regarding the threat of ISIS to our nation.

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