Blue Dog Leadership Says Continuing Resolutions Hurt National Security; Calls on Congress to Pass Omnibus Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition's leadership issued statements criticizing the use of continuing resolutions arguing they hurt our national security and fiscal stability and urged Congress to pass an omnibus appropriations bill that is now almost than four months behind.

Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Co-Chair for Administration, said, "All government shutdowns—regardless how short—negatively affect our economy, our ability to properly plan our national defense operations, and our hardworking servicemembers and federal employees. No government shutdown is justified. However, funding our government in the paltry spans of months—or even weeks—is a ridiculous process that has become far too commonplace. Our military and critical, federally-funded programs and initiatives need time to plan and budget, and our economy needs not suffer from such constant turbulence. Lawmakers are here in Washington to get the government funded on time each year and ensure that that funding reflects the needs of our constituents. It is ridiculous when we can't get this done."

Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Co-Chair for Policy, said, "The power of the purse is one of Congress' core Constitutional duties. Using our authority to provide budget certainty is essential to planning for and responding to our nation's critical needs, from providing for our national defense to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. A full-year Continuing Resolution would jeopardize our nation's ability to function. It would misalign billions of federal dollars in a manner inconsistent with our current needs and result directly in huge inefficiency and waste. Congress must finish the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills, most of which passed the House last July, before the February 18th deadline. The stakes of inaction and avoidance are too high."

Rep. Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Co-Chair for Communications, said, "Every time we fail to deliver a budget and appropriations bills on time, we make it harder for our servicemembers and national security professionals to keep this nation safe. The constant use of continuing resolutions is a shameful abdication of Congress's fundamental responsibility to properly fund the government. It threatens both our national security and the fiscal stability of this nation. While I do not think we should shut down the government, Republicans must come to the table to work with Democrats so we can pass a full funding bill and stop kicking the can down the road."