Kaptur Statement On Passage Of House Bill To Open Government

Press Release

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Ohio Delegation, issued the following statement after voting YES on the House passage of a three-week spending bill:

"What matters most at this juncture is reopening the government of the United States to serve the American people. Funding the government is the sworn obligation of Congress, and I cast my vote despite serious misgivings.

"We must work hard over the next three weeks to make sure we are not in the same boat we are now, and though we temporarily moved past this self-inflicted crisis, this bill is half-a-loaf for the American people.

"We still need to address a long list of bipartisan priorities including a long-term budget for the government, providing relief for millions of retirees whose pensions are at risk and funding community health centers, which are a lifeline in Ohio.

"I am pleased this measure included vital funding for the children's health program, but with each temporary spending bill, it is more and more clear that the GOP-led budget process is completely broken and they are unable to govern.

"The only way we are going to change the dysfunction in Washington is if citizens across this country rise up and make sure their voices are being heard."

Kaptur had urged that pension relief be a part of a funding bill and has been a leader in the House urging action on the Butch Lewis Act, which would provide help to millions of retirees who are at risk of losing their earned pension benefits. Kaptur shared the stories of Ohio retirees who whose pensions are at risk if Congress does not act soon (click here for more).

Also, last week Kaptur slammed Trump Administration Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney after he derided efforts to provide pension relief to millions of retirees by calling it a "bailout."

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