Press Releases

Washington, DC—January 18, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after the US House of Representatives passed the latest continuing resolution, which extends funding through March 1 and March 8 and avoids a detrimental government shutdown:

Congressman Womack said, “The continuing resolution is a sad reality of both the broken budget process and a divided government. Shutting down the government isn’t the answer. Threatening the pay of our men and women in uniform, veterans’ benefits, and a host of other necessary programs is reckless and irresponsible. Completing full-year appropriations should be our goal. Voting to extend current funding levels to buy the time necessary to finish FY24 Appropriations was the only practical outcome. Trying to blame our nation’s $34 trillion debt on discretionary spending is intellectually dishonest. I hope Congress can come to an agreement, finish its work ahead of the March 1 and March 8 deadlines, and begin discussions about how we fix the true drivers of our deficits and debt—mandatory spending.”

Womack has consistently advocated for solutions to fix the broken budget and appropriations process, which has failed the American people for too long. He co-chaired the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform and introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to modernize and streamline current processes. Some of the reforms he supported would have helped prevent a budget and appropriations deadline crisis like we see today. Additionally, he called for moving to a biennial budget, ensuring realistic deadlines for Congress to complete its budget and appropriations work, and requiring a joint Budget Committee hearing on the Fiscal State of the Nation.