Press Releases

Washington, DC—June 29, 2021....Today, the full committee met to consider the fiscal year 2022 subcommittee spending levels, known as “302(b)” allocations. The appropriations bills for the subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government and Legislative Branch were also considered.

Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Womack speaks on amendments during markup

Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Womack (R-AR) said, “Families and businesses across the U.S. make tough financial choices each day. Congress has a responsibility to do the same. This FSGG bill, as presented, is unacceptable. Its baseline funding lacks any fiscal discipline, boasting an overall 20% increase and double-digit hikes across most agencies. The out-of-control spending will only add to our unprecedented debt burden and guarantee higher taxes on the American people. We have a duty to address the needs of the nation, but it must be done in a responsible way. I thank Ranking Member Granger for her focus on these issues and reiterate her calls to our Democrat colleagues to work with us to address these concerns and find a bipartisan solution.”

Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX), the lead Republican on the Appropriations Committee, said, "The bills before us set irresponsible funding levels and include partisan provisions that Republicans simply cannot support. The amendments offered by Republicans today would have preserved important measures to protect life, ensured low-income students have the ability to receive a better education in DC, and prevented wasteful spending. Unfortunately, our colleagues rejected our efforts, instead choosing to include polarizing provisions that will only delay these bills moving through the process and being signed into law. After a year of staggering levels of spending and the pandemic now nearing an end, we should be looking for ways to address our growing national debt, not increasing the size and reach of the Federal government. In order for Congress to produce real results, we need to work together to reach a bipartisan budget agreement and reject controversial policy changes. I am hopeful that we can send bipartisan bills to the President this year without having to resort to a continuing resolution to keep the government funded.”
 
Full Committee Vice-Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “While I am encouraged that appropriators are getting to work on funding for fiscal year 2022, I am very concerned by the irresponsible tactics of Democrats. Although Democrats have control of Congress and President Joe Biden in the White House, that should not translate as cause for a spending spree at the expense of defense or reason to abandon longstanding pro-life provisions. I remain hopeful that we can find a more constructive approach for Americans trusting us to get the job done. However, before Republicans can seriously consider voting for any appropriations bills, defense spending must go up, domestic spending must come down and the Hyde Amendment must be fully restored. Unless these conditions are achieved, we run the risk of a continuing resolution or, even worse, a government shutdown.” 

Legislative Branch Subcommittee Ranking Member Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) said, “The Legislative Branch Appropriations bill contains critical funding to help reopen and safely welcome visitors back to the Capitol complex, makes strides in investing in the Library of Congress’ Visitor Experience initiative and safeguarding the Library’s unique and ever-growing collection, and supports the critical mission of the Capitol Police as they continue to protect visitors, staff, members, and the Capitol complex. However, I’m concerned about the steep increase in spending, which is over 13% more than last year’s level, as well as a number of controversial majority authored provisions that included no consultation from the minority, and no improvements or changes made to how the Capitol Police leadership – especially the Capitol Police board – operates. But I remain hopeful we will work together in a bipartisan way to craft a bill that earns all of our support.”
 
Backing their commitment to conservative policies, Republican Members offered amendments to:

• Promote pro-life policies by restoring long-standing prohibitions on the use of Federal Employee Health Benefits and District of Columbia local funds for abortion;
• Stop the Administration from detailing Federal employees unless the crisis at the southern border is declared a national emergency;
• Hold the Iranian regime, a state sponsor of terrorism, accountable by prohibiting the Treasury Department from weakening much-needed sanctions;
• Strike language that would limit education choice for low-income students in the District of Columbia;
• Support fiscal responsibility by preventing the Federal government from further bailing out mismanaged States and local governments;
• Prevent wasteful spending by the U.S. Postal Service;
• Protect small businesses from new, unnecessary, and burdensome Securities and Exchange Commission disclosures; and
• Ensures that if a new regulation is implemented, two regulations are repealed.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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