Schakowsky and Gallego Blast Poison Pill Riders in Appropriations Package

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statements ahead of the House vote on the first Appropriations package for FY18. The package, known as the “Security Minibus” is made up of the Defense, Military Construction & VA, Legislative Branch, and Energy & Water Appropriations bills. These bills include controversial and extreme policy riders, including funding for President Trump’s border wall. In June, Reps Schakowsky and Gallego led 180 House Democrats in writing a letter to House and Appropriations Committee leadership, urging them to exclude controversial policy provisions from the FY 2018 funding bills.

“Republicans are once again playing dangerous games with our federal government’s funding bills,” said Rep. Schakowsky (IL-09). “In June, Rep. Gallego and I led 180 Democrats in sending a clear message to House leadership: no poison pills in appropriations bills. Americans expect Congress to fund the government responsibly, not put our economy at risk as Republicans attack women, immigrants, the environment, and consumer protections.”

“Once again, Republicans are trying to sneak their unpopular anti-environmental, anti-immigrant, and anti-woman policy riders into bills meant to keep our federal government running,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07). “If Republicans insist on adding these poison pill provisions to spending bills, they will be leading us on the path to yet another unnecessary political impasse or a devastating government shutdown. Speaker Ryan must end this pattern of reckless brinksmanship and pass clean appropriations bills to fully fund the federal government. I’m proud to stand with Rep. Schakowsky and our Democratic colleagues against Republican efforts to bog down the appropriations process with contentious riders.”