On the recordJuly 6, 2016
I want to thank our ranking member for his stellar leadership as our ranking member on this subcommittee and for his kind remarks. Also, I want to thank our chairman, Mr. Crenshaw, for working with our side of the aisle despite our differences. Mr. Chairman, I rise, though, in strong opposition to the fiscal 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. This is yet another spending bill filled with ideologically driven riders from House Republicans. Sadly, the bad provisions in this bill greatly outweigh the few good provisions, like increased funding for community development financial institutions and the Small Business Administration's Women's Business Centers. Both have good provisions. Unfortunately, however, once again, my colleagues across the aisle have chosen to score political points instead of doing the serious work of governing. Just to name a few, this bill includes numerous--numerous--dangerous and offensive riders, one to undermine the rule of law in the District of Columbia and deny low-income D.C. women their basic right to safe and affordable comprehensive healthcare choices, including abortion. Now, the women of the District of Columbia should be allowed to make their own reproductive health choices, whatever health choices they deem they need, want, and desire. Republican Members of Congress should not be interfering in the District of Columbia women's health decisions.…
