Earl Blumenauer: “Tuesday of this week, the 2003 fiscal year began and Congress has not yet completed a single appropriations bill. The…”

“Tuesday of this week, the 2003 fiscal year began and Congress has not yet completed a single appropriations bill. The Republican party's split among its conservative members continues to stall the appropriations process. This failure to complete our budget and funding responsibilities leads to more strain on our fragile economy. I again support this short-term resolution to keep agencies operating, but I urge leadership to move the appropriations process along so we can find the education programs we promised in the No Child Left Behind Act; so we can find the technology and new-hires needed for seaport and airport security; and, so we can find the many other priorities and commitments that the American people expect of us.”