Jacob Ogles
A budget deal passed out of the U.S. House on a largely party-line vote despite having the support of President Donald Trump.
The deal raised spending limits by billions and would push off any future fights over the debt ceiling another two years, according to The New York Times.
“The full faith and credit of the United States of America should never, ever be in question,” said Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in a floor speech.
“House Republicans should support the TWO YEAR BUDGET AGREEMENT which greatly helps our Military and our Vets,” tweeted Republican President Donald Trump.
The budget passed 284-149. But only 65 Republicans voted for it, including Florida’s Neal Dunn, John Rutherford and Gus Bilirakis; 16 Democrats voting against the deal included Florida’s Stephanie Murphy.
“The future of our nation depends on Members of Congress finding the political courage to work together and make the tough decisions to get our nation’s fiscal house back in order,” said Murphy, co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition. “It’s clear that the bipartisan budget deal lacks this courage from both parties by abandoning fiscal discipline altogether and allowing $1 trillion deficits to be signed into law.”
Some Florida Congressional Delegation members released the following statements defending their own votes:
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican: “Earlier today, the House passed a budget deal brokered by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Instead of exhibiting fiscal restraint, Speaker Pelosi’s budget is a wishlist for Democrat priorities and wasteful spending. If the budget is a road map for the American people, then Speaker Pelosi is driving us into spending oblivion. We cannot allow this. I encourage President Trump to negotiate a deal that strengthens our military, helps our veterans, and cuts our bloated spending,”
Rep. Dan Webster, a Clermont Republican: “I will not go back on my pledge to work to stop of spigot of spending. I cannot support a budget that massively expands spending and puts another nail in the coffin of the Budget Control Act of 2011.
“Hardworking taxpayers make tough spending decisions to stay within their budget. They expect their representatives will do the same. I have supported and advocated for investing more in our military and veterans. With hard work and creativity, we can develop a budget that funds our servicemen and women, national security, infrastructure and other critical government programs and operations. Instead, Congress has once again embraced the standard Washington presumption that nothing in the budget can be cut in order to fund these priorities without increasing the deficit.
“For these reasons and more, I cannot support this bill. I pledge to continue to work hard on behalf of Florida’s hardworking taxpayers and families to advance common-sense reforms and principled policy and budgets that get our fiscal house in order.”
Rep. Stephanie Murphy, an Orlando Democrat: “The future of our nation depends on Members of Congress finding the political courage to work together and make the tough decisions to get our nation’s fiscal house back in order. It’s clear that the bipartisan budget deal lacks this courage from both parties by abandoning fiscal discipline altogether and allowing $1 trillion deficits to be signed into law.
“Congress can be fiscally responsible — and we must be — for future generations of Americans. Otherwise, we will soon come to a point where we will have to spend on our past rather than invest in our future. As our country continues to face real challenges, from fixing our crumbling infrastructure to addressing climate change, skyrocketing interest payments on the debt will limit our ability to make those necessary investments going forward.
“Last week, we released the Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform, which included bipartisan fixes Congress can make right now to begin to clean up our fiscal mess. Congress should bring these solutions to the floor for a vote when we return in the Fall. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to make this right.”
Rep. Lois Frankel, a Boca Raton Democrat: “This strong, bipartisan bill allows us to invest in the health & well-being of the American people. It restores certainty to our budgeting, avoids another reckless government shutdown, & protects the full faith and credit of the U.S.”
