Congressman Panetta Statement on the House Passage of the Latest Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) released the following statement after voting against the latest Continuing Resolution (CR) that the Majority brought to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives:

"Funding our government on a month-to-month basis is detrimental to our national security and domestic programs and agencies. Short-term spending bills weaken our military readiness by halting long-term planning, cancelling training exercises, and delaying necessary maintenance and upkeep. Such stop-gap federal funding measures undermine investments in our rural communities by delaying loans and grants to farmers and small business owners. That is why I voted against today's continuing resolution.

"This is the fifth short-term spending bill offered by the Majority over the past year. Although a government shutdown is harmful to our troops and working families, we must stop kicking the can down the road with short-term spending bills. By continually passing continuing resolutions, Congress is abdicating its responsibility to adequately fund the government and invest in our future.

"Although this short-term bill opened the federal government, it failed to address critical funding measures that require Congress's immediate attention. The continuing resolution did not provide funding for community health centers, combatting the opioid crisis, and disaster aid for Californians recovering from wildfires and mudslides. Moreover, Congress failed to come up with a solution to protect our Dreamers, many who are losing their status on a daily basis. Now, Congress has only two and half weeks to reach an agreement on all of these pressing issues before the February 8 deadline of the short-term spending bill.

"Despite that short time period, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop a bipartisan and long-term spending package that responsibly funds the federal government. I will also continue to negotiate a lasting legislative solution that protects our nation's Dreamers. Congress has a duty to work together in order to improve the quality of life and opportunity for all of our constituents. As your representative in Congress, I remain committed to fulfilling that responsibility."