180 House Democrats to Leadership: No Poison Pill Riders on FY 2018 Appropriations Bills
Members send letter calling for passage of clean spending bills in order to avoid another harmful showdown over federal spending
Washington, DC – Today, 180 Democrats wrote to Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee urging them to exclude controversial policy provisions from the FY 2018 funding bills.
In recent years, House Republicans have tried to attach extreme policy riders to appropriations legislation, attacking critical services and protections for Americans.
The letter calls on House leaders to end the partisan brinksmanship that has characterized the appropriations process by only bringing forward clean legislation to fund the federal government in the coming fiscal year.
The letter was led by Reps. Schakowsky and Gallego along with Reps. Butterfield, Sewell, Kind, Matsui, Waters, and O'Halleran.
“House Democrats have a simple, clear message as we advance appropriations legislation: no poison pills in funding bills," said Rep. Schakowsky. "Every year, Republicans hold vital government programs hostage unless we agree to radical policy changes that will damage the environment, threaten women’s health, and undermine consumer protections. Enough is enough. There's a time and place for heated policy debates, but first Americans expect us to complete the basic task of keeping our government running.”
“For years, Republicans have risked another disastrous government shutdown by loading up critical spending bills with extreme policy provisions,” said Rep. Gallego. “Today, the House Democratic Caucus is united in telling Speaker Ryan that we won’t allow the appropriations process to be hijacked by special interests. We refuse to stand aside and permit legislation funding the federal government to be used as a vehicle to enact President Trump’s extreme agenda. Just like the American people, we’re fed up with endless standoffs over federal spending and demand clean appropriations bills that will keep our government working on behalf of our families and our communities.”
The text of the letter is below.
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Chairman Frelinghuysen, and Ranking Member Lowey:
We urge you to bring forward appropriations bills without poison pill policy riders to adequately fund the federal government in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018.
Contrary to the May 2, 2017 statement of President Trump, we believe there is no such thing as a “good shutdown.” Bogging down the appropriations process with controversial policy debates would create another harmful political impasse and put Americans at unnecessary risk. Given the many challenges and urgent needs of our country, the House of Representatives must work cooperatively to complete the appropriations process. We need appropriations bills that provide adequate funding above sequestration levels for the agencies and programs that Americans rely on. Clean funding bills – free of poison pill riders – represent the best path forward as we fulfill our basic duty to keep the government running.
Cuts to vital programs and threats of government shutdown threaten Americans’ security and economic wellbeing. We urge you to act in line with the best traditions of the House and the best interests of our country by advancing responsible appropriations legislation free of contentious poison pill provisions.
Sincerely,
180 House Democrats