Steve Womack: “I appreciate the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) for yielding and for her leadership. I, too, am concerned about…”

“I appreciate the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) for yielding and for her leadership. I, too, am concerned about the direction we are heading in this continuing resolution, but I have another reason, Mr. Speaker. This CR includes a provision that has a significant budgetary impact. I am frustrated that the amendment I filed with the Rules Committee last night was not made in order to address it. My amendment would have offset $76 billion in mandatory spending increases from repealing a rescission of funds in the 2015 Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act, a transportation bill. This provision, Mr. Speaker, would have a significant impact on mandatory spending, which everybody in this Chamber knows is driving the Nation's deficits and debt. Let me be clear: The amendment would have allowed for the highway funding to take place but simply called for it to be paid for. Now, I don't think that is asking too much, to ask for increases in spending, given the fact that we will have a trillion-dollar deficit this year on top of the $23 trillion debt, to just simply pay for the excesses. The House should have had an opportunity to consider whether to offset the funding in a fiscally responsible manner, in my opinion. I find it troubling that we were not given that opportunity. That is one thing.…”