Oklahoma Congressmen vote against spending bill and debt limit suspension

Oh look, the U.S. House just voted to spend gobs of money and suspend the debt limit.

In other words, it's a day that ends in 'y'.

While I do appreciate that our Republican delegation voted against this particular measure, their stern words about excessive spending and drowning debt fall a bit flat given that the GOP under both of the last Republican presidents (Trump and Bush) spent money like it grew on trees. Republicans in power: spend-spend-spend! Republicans out of power: fiscal responsibility!

Lucas Statement on Continuing Resolution & Suspending the Debt Limit

Washington, DC (Sept. 21st) – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5305- the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, a continuing resolution that includes a measure to suspend the nation’s debt limit through December 2022.

“Last election cycle, Democrats won control of the House, the Senate, and the White House. Since then, instead of working through regular order in a bipartisan, meaningful manner with Republicans, Democrats have chosen the ‘go it alone’ approach and have laid out a reckless tax and spending plan that will fall on the backs of America’s working families and businesses- Congressional Democrats proudly did this once before and are unabashed about spending an additional $3.5 trillion. It should come as no surprise that Republicans would support a clean continuing resolution that includes appropriate disaster relief and necessary Afghan aid but not the irresponsible measure that encourages Congressional Democrats to continue their spending spree.

 

“Let’s be clear, the last suspension of the debt limit this past August accounted for all the spending that had occurred up to that date. This isn’t about Congress’ past spending, this is about our future spending. Since Democrats have decided to govern alone, they should be ready lift the debt limit alone.

“With only nine days before federal government funding runs out, I hope my colleagues drop their political posturing and join House and Senate Republicans in our efforts to ensure that we keep critical programs funded and operational.”

Hern votes against Continuing Resolution, urges return to budget process

WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 21st) – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against HR 5305, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, a continuing resolution to fund the federal government and suspend the federal debt limit.

“Once again, the Democrat majority has put the federal government on autopilot,” said Rep. Hern. “What are we doing here? Our constituents did not send us here to do the same thing over and over and over again. We must interrupt this never-ending cycle of apathetic governance and do the hard work of passing a budget. The text of the continuing resolution we voted on tonight was not public as of this morning, we received the text with just hours to read it before the vote. The deadline is next week, we didn’t have to rush this to the floor tonight.”

Cole Votes Against Suspending the Debt Limit

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 21st) – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5305. This measure includes a continuing resolution to fund the government at current (fiscal year 2021) levels through December 3, 2021, with additional items attached, including a provision that would suspend the debt limit until the end of 2022. Cole voted against the legislation.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I certainly recognize the importance of keeping the government open and operating. However, I could not support the short-term funding measure brought to the House floor by Democrats this week due to the irresponsible inclusion of a provision to suspend the debt limit until the end of next year,” said Cole. “Such action would effectively deliver a blank check enabling President Biden and Democrats to plow further ahead on their monstrous spending spree on radical, socialist-style priorities and programs.

“Since taking control of the White House and the Senate, Democrats have shown no desire to restore fiscal sanity and revealed every intention to tax and spend unlike any other time in American history. Indeed, enacting legislation to suspend the debt limit, conveniently until after the midterm elections next year, would only pave the way for more big-government spending that has already led to higher taxes on businesses and the taxation of inflation on the American people.

“Considering that Democrats control the legislative and executive branches, if they want to continue to push their misguided, out-of-control spending, it should be up to them to figure out how to pay for it themselves. But in the meantime, Democrats will certainly not receive any help from Republicans in their quest to bankrupt future generations.

"Funding the government is one of the most fundamental roles of Congress, and I am disappointed that Democrats have chosen to add controversial items to a measure to prevent a shutdown. Once Democrats come to their senses, I look forward to voting for a measure to responsibly keep the government open and to address pressing matters, of importance to both parties, such as disaster relief, aid for Afghan refugees and support for Israel.”

Cole also made remarks on the House floor while managing debate on the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5305. Video is available here.

Congressman Markwayne Mullin:

Our country cannot afford to keep kicking the can down the road and passing bills off to the next generation.

— Markwayne Mullin (@RepMullin) September 22, 2021