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Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 14, 2023
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 6363, a bill that would keep the government operating while putting Congress on a path toward fiscal responsibility. We simply can't continue to pass large, bloated omnibus appropriations bills just before Christmas, and this bill is a new approach to break the cycle.

Moody's changed the outlook of the Nation's debt on Friday to negative. Rising interest rates from Bidenomics, the sharp increase in public debt, and a lack of agreement on measures to reduce the public deficit led to that downgrade.

This should be a wake-up call for all of us. This bill gives us time to complete our work in a fiscally responsible manner while working toward a more normal appropriations process.

Additionally, I would specifically address concerns for funding of the WIC program. I have heard our colleagues on the other side of the aisle use scare tactics and a straw man that this bill does not provide enough funding for WIC and the States will have to have a wait list for participants. Nothing could be further from the absolute truth.

Let me remind everyone that provisions in the first CR continue in this bill, so the Department of Agriculture has the authority to maintain WIC participation, period.

If States need more money, they should ask USDA for funding, not start wait lists. USDA and OMB have the authority to work together to fully fund the program, and if they don't, it is 100 percent the fault of the Biden administration.

It is shameful that advocacy groups and the Biden administration's team use such scare tactics when they know full well they have the ability to fully fund WIC for the duration of this continuing resolution.

I thank Speaker Johnson for his leadership in restoring fiscal restraint and supporting a new approach to control spending.

I also thank Chairwoman Granger for her leadership and dedication in moving the FY24 House appropriations bills forward. The world has taken notice of the unsustainable spending and debt which undermines our credibility as a world leader.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6363 to put us on the path to fiscal responsibility.

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