Merkley, Wyden explain 'no' vote on funding federal govt.
Merkley, Wyden explain 'no' vote on funding federal govt.
By: KTVZ.COM news sources Posted: Dec 11, 2016 10:18 PM PST
Updated: Dec 12, 2016 12:25 AM PST
'Critical lifeline' of rural funding left out
WASHINGTON - Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., explained late Friday why they voted against a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through April, which was approved.
First, Senator Merkley's statement:
“With tonight’s congressional action — or lack thereof—a critical lifeline for rural Oregon will disappear. Since 2000, the Secure Rural Schools program has provided essential resources for rural Oregon counties to maintain schools, transportation and public safety. Without it, children’s education will suffer, roads will crumble, and lives will be put in danger as patrols are cut back drastically.
~Snip~
“Congress also failed to keep our promise to miners who are depending on the government to uphold the long-standing bargain on health insurance. With this bill, the miners will have no idea if they will be insured after April.
“Finally, the Senate leadership has pre-emptively abandoned the Senate’s responsibility to thoroughly debate the highly extraordinary request by President-elect Trump that Congress change long-standing laws that maintain civilian control of our military. This issue deserves a full and extensive debate in broad daylight. The bill to change those laws won’t even be introduced until next year and yet Senate leadership slipped a provision into this legislation in the dead of night that stifles Senate debate on that future bill.
“For all these reasons, I could not vote for the continuing resolution tonight.”
