Legislative Branch Appropriations Act 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present H.R. 2250, a short-term continuing resolution that will fund the government through December 16.

As you know, our current funding mechanism expires today, at midnight. At this point, it is, unfortunately, necessary for us to have a little more time to complete our negotiations.

This continuing resolution extends current levels of funding for critical government programs for 5 additional days, ensuring our government stays open until midnight next Wednesday. The Senate passed this same bill yesterday. So, with approval in the House, this bill will go to the President today.

I believe we are making good progress, Mr. Speaker, on a final, full-year appropriations package. While I had hoped that we would be done by this point, there are still many moving pieces. It is my hope and expectation that the final omnibus legislation will be completed by this new deadline.

Mr. Speaker, I am not the biggest fan of continuing resolutions. They tend to be wasteful and inefficient. However, at this point, I see this procedure today as the best way forward. This continuing resolution is very short and limited in scope, simply buying us enough time to wrap up our negotiations and bring a full-year bill to the floor without a lapse in important government services. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Before closing, Mr. Speaker, I have a sad announcement to make. On Wednesday morning, the committee lost one of its longstanding staff, who has been associated with the legislative branch for 25 years: Chuck Turner. We mourn his loss. As soon as we have further details on services, we will provide that information to the House.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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