McCollum Statement on House Passage of Continuing Resolution

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the House passed a continuing resolution that funds the government through December 9:

“Tonight I joined with my colleagues to fulfill our most basic responsibility: funding our government for the next 10 weeks. While not perfect, the continuing resolution includes a significant victory for American families by providing $1.1 billion in funding to combat the Zika virus. In addition, the House voted earlier today to authorize $170 million to address the Flint water crisis, an important first step in ensuring the children and families of Flint receive the resources they need. These victories were only possible because House Democrats stood firm and insisted that Congress act on these public health emergencies.

“Unfortunately, however, the passage of a short-term continuing resolution means that the American economy is once again denied the certainty that comes with a federal budget. Instead of doing their jobs this year, House Republicans chose to blow off their budget deadline, fight among themselves, and even defeat one of their own appropriations bills. Tonight, House Democrats walked across the aisle and demonstrated our willingness to govern responsibly by helping pass this stopgap funding measure. When Congress returns in November, I hope Republican leadership will work with me and my Democratic colleagues to pass a full-year budget that puts the American people, not powerful special interests, first.”