Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2471, a bill that will provide funding for the Federal Government through the end of this fiscal year. While it has taken us far too long to get here, I am glad we were able to produce a bill that includes many funding priorities that I support. Since last summer, I have made it clear that House Republicans would oppose Appropriations bills unless they increase defense spending, restrain nondefense spending, include all longstanding policy provisions, and do not include any poison pill riders. After months of negotiations, we reached a deal that meets all four of these criteria. The bill before us increases defense spending by roughly 6 percent, which is $4.5 billion above the NDAA; rejects the President's proposed 16 percent increase in nondefense spending; includes the Hyde amendment and other critical pro-life policies; and drops other controversial language. For defense, the bill provides our military and our troops with the resources they desperately need. The roughly $42 billion increase in defense spending across all the appropriations bills will improve military readiness, start key modernization initiatives, and support our brave warfighters and their families so they can improve their quality of life. The package also contains an additional $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome to allow Israel to replace the interceptors that were used in the most recent conflict.…”