Bingaman Votes Against Spending Bill That Harms Innovation, Border Security

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted against a bill that would have slashed spending in a variety of areas, including education, border security and energy innovation. That bill -- called H.R. 1 -- failed, as did the alternative measure offered by Senate Democrats.

"The question is not whether there should be cuts to our federal budget. Clearly there should be. The real issue is whether we should be smart about where we make those cuts. To me it is clear that H.R. 1 does not represent smart policy about where to make those cuts," Bingaman said. "Rather, it represents a plan to mindlessly cut funding in order to send some kind of message to the world that we are serious about deficit reduction. In my view H.R. 1 does send a message, but it's not the right message. The message it sends is we are not willing to look at serious deficit reduction, at this point."

In a speech on the Senate floor, Bingaman highlighted the cuts H.R. 1 would make to basic science research and education. He also pointed out that elected officials seem to give lip-service to protecting the border, but appear willing to slash funding for border security.

H.R. 1 called for a reduction in planned technological, fencing and security improvements along the southwest border. Specifically, the legislation would have reduced interoperable communication capabilities and cut tactical communications modernization efforts by 50 percent, making it more difficult for law enforcement to respond to emergencies in a timely, coordinated manner, and eliminate technology pilot programs and contingency funds aimed at confronting emerging threats, such as low-flying aircraft and tunnel detection efforts.

"H.R. 1 would be a major step back in the progress we are making to secure our border," Bingaman said.

Now that both versions of the spending bill have been defeated, Congress will work to negotiate a compromise bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of this fiscal year.

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