Hal Rogers: “I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, despite his laudable efforts to complete all fiscal year 2018…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, despite his laudable efforts to complete all fiscal year 2018 House bills on time, the perpetual stalemate on unrelated matters left us with this undesirable choice of several continuing resolutions. Piecemeal funding of government is universally harmful, but now we have a chance to get back on track and finalize funding for fiscal year 2018. Mr. Speaker, there is a reason why we have a rule against legislating on appropriations bills, and yet here we are. The only holdback that kept us from getting these bills done on time was the fact that a lot of people--some, even, in leadership--who want to load onto this must- pass bill legislation that is controversial. Yet our committee has to cope with an unsatisfactory arrangement. Protecting American interests around the globe through military readiness and diplomacy is not a luxury in this hostile environment. It is a responsibility. This bill provides the necessary resources to fulfill that responsibility. It upholds our commitments to key strategic partners and allies such as Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Ukraine. The bill also will assist other partners to fight terrorism, secure borders, resist aggression, and stabilize communities affected by conflict. We also uphold our longstanding commitment as Americans to help those displaced by conflict or natural disaster or who are facing famine.…”