Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill.

Rather than focusing energy on reaching a compromise with the Senate and the President to reopen the government and get those Federal workers their paychecks, my colleagues across the aisle are spending time bringing bills to the floor that have absolutely no chance of passing and becoming law. The bill is a waste of everyone's time and a waste of countless hours of hard work by Members and staff on both sides of the aisle.

Last Congress, my colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee worked hard for many months in a bipartisan and bicameral way to pass a Transportation and Housing and Urban Development funding bill on time. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we passed that bill in the House in July of last year.

Then, in December, when we were looking at a looming shutdown, my colleagues and I in the House passed a funding package that would have kept the government open and provided an additional $5 billion for border security and $9 billion for initial disaster assistance to American citizens in those communities devastated by hurricanes and fires.

Instead, here we are, bringing to the floor a bill that ignores the bipartisan work of my House colleagues.

This bill today provides less funding for our ports, highways, and air traffic control. It provides less housing for people with disabilities, our veterans, and those living with HIV and AIDS. Also, it doesn't include the oversight and accountability provisions that were added by the House. On top of all that, the President has already said he will not sign the bill into law.

As we waste the House's time, and, quite frankly, the people's time, on this bill, 800,000 Federal workers are suffering. All our Nation's transportation systems are becoming less efficient. Many functions of our air, rail, maritime, and highway transportation are being held up by furloughs and understaffing. Those essential personnel who are required to show up, they go unpaid for their work. This is unjust and immoral.

Mr. Speaker, I implore the Speaker of the House and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to put aside these partisan tactics and bring to the floor bills we have already worked on through regular order and with bipartisan agreement.

It is very simple. If the Speaker is truly serious about opening the government and getting people back to work, bring a bill to the floor that the Senate can pass and the President will sign into law.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina.

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