Ruppersberger Issues Statement on Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2013

Statement

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a continuing resolution for the 2013 fiscal year that funds defense, construction on our military bases and our Veterans Administration but fails to update the remaining 10 appropriations bills in the same manner. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger issued the following statement:

"Today, for the first time in more than 10 years in Congress, I voted against a continuing resolution because the bill serves only to reinforce the arbitrary across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration for the vast majority of government agencies. Sequestration will cost our national economy and our national security.

Here in Maryland, nearly 140,000 workers at facilities like Fort Meade, NSA, Aberdeen Proving Ground and the Port of Baltimore are facing furloughs that will jeopardize their ability to support their families and do their jobs supporting our national security. Many small businesses will lose loan guarantees. Support for our local teachers, firefighters and police will take a significant hit. We'll lose nearly $50 million in funding for medical research, which supports thousands of jobs in Maryland. We could even see the closure of the air traffic control tower at Martin State Airport -- eliminating an extra set of eyes in a busy airspace, as well as revenue.

Maryland can't afford this approach to deficit reduction and neither can any other state in the nation. I strongly agree that we need significant spending cuts, but it must be done in a strategic, responsible manner. I am hopeful that, when this bill goes to conference with the Senate, both chambers will be able to resolve our long-term financial challenges while avoiding sequestration."

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