September 29, 2023 – Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Chavez-DeRemer Statement on House Consideration of Several Appropriations Bills and Potential Government Shutdown
Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation appropriating funds for the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of State. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) supported these three appropriations bills, which included a Community Project Funding request she secured for Clackamas County and other key investments to combat the fentanyl crisis and improve military readiness.
Separately, Chavez-DeRemer voted against appropriations legislation that would have resulted in deep cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and limited access to mifepristone. This bill ultimately failed to pass the House.
“As promised, I’m doing everything I can to prevent the government from shutting down this weekend, and tonight was a small step in the right direction. I don’t agree with everything that was ultimately included in these bills, but they do accomplish two key objectives that are important to Oregonians: reining in out-of-control spending and securing our southern border to fight the flow of fentanyl. Importantly, tonight’s developments will also ensure negotiations continue with the Senate and the White House.
“My record continues to prove that I won’t hesitate to stand up and do what’s right for Oregon – even if that means sometimes breaking from my own party when necessary. I voted against the USDA and FDA appropriations bill because it would have gutted programs that Oregon women, children, farmers, and ranchers rely on. Additionally, it would have limited access to mifepristone, and I’ll continue opposing national policies that fundamentally change women’s access to abortion in Oregon.
“While we made some progress tonight, I’m frustrated that Congress seems to keep jumping from one budget crisis to the next. Sadly, it’s the exact kind of dysfunction that Oregonians have come to expect from D.C. – but I’m trying to disrupt the status quo by working towards pragmatic, bipartisan solutions to break through the gridlock. As a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, I’ve worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a commonsense solution to keep the government open. I’m a cosponsor of our proposal, the Bipartisan Keep America Open Act, which funds the government through January 11 – giving us enough time to pass all 12 government funding bills. It would also further address the crisis at our southern border and rein in spending.
“As this process continues to play out, I’ve made sure that my pay will be withheld until we can get the job done. I came to D.C. to do good work for Oregon and will continue fighting to prevent a damaging and costly shutdown that would cause a disruption in government services for my constituents,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
The DOD, DHS, and State Department appropriations bills included:
- Chavez-DeRemer’s request for $750,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for an Emergency Operations Center in Clackamas County;
- A historic pay increase for junior enlisted service members at an average of 30 percent;
- $694 million for counternarcotics support, including $50 million above the president’s budget request for programs to counter illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids; and
- $496 million for 22,000 border patrol agents, which is the highest level ever funded.
Chavez-DeRemer released a video update earlier today, which is available HERE.
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