On the recordSeptember 13, 2012
This 6-month continuing resolution, Mr. Speaker, will keep the government's doors open and its wheels turning until March 27, 2013. It's a necessary bill that ensures that the Congress is doing its job, even if this is not our preferred way of going about doing it. Funding for the government in short increments is not the right way to govern and not something that should be common practice. It's essential to our Nation's financial future that the Congress complete these important appropriations bills in regular order. However, the Senate failed to act on any of the 12 appropriations bills this year, instead choosing to default on their most basic fiscal duty in the name of election-year politics. Over the past few months, the House did its very best to support the core functions of the government and provide responsible levels for critical programs and services. In fact, the Appropriations Committee considered all 12 bills, fulfilling our duty as shepherds of Federal tax dollars and our responsibility as representatives of the people in this country. I'm deeply disappointed that this work is now on hold and that Congress will not complete this work before the end of the fiscal year this September 30. Though we have found ourselves in this undesirable position, it does not mean we can't yet act responsibly. This CR is a good-faith effort to provide limited, but fair, funding for government programs.…
