Webster Statement on Budget

Washington, DC – Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, today released the following statement on the FY 2020 federal spending bills.

“This summer, I voted against the budget deal because it massively expanded spending. Despite my opposition, the bill passed. I am frustrated Congress continuously embraces the Washington presumption that nothing in the budget can be cut in order to fund priorities without increasing the deficit. 

“Today I voted for H.R. 1158 because it provides dollars for our national defense policies and servicemembers as outlined in the NDAA. The U.S. Constitution states that providing for the ‘common defense’ is one of our fundamental responsibilities. This bill also provides funding for a wall along our southwest border; more resources for immigration judges and immigration enforcement; funding for local law enforcement grant programs; invests in NASA, keeping our space program strong; and continues protections for our most vulnerable by ensuring taxpayer dollars are not funding abortions.

“I applaud my House and Senate Republican colleagues for rejecting Democrats’ attempts to spend taxpayer dollars on liberal-progressive policies and programs. However, I could not vote for H.R. 1865 due to excessive spending on non-critical domestic programs and policies.  While it provides funds for priorities and programs I strongly support, other spending levels in the bill package were extreme and we must be willing to make tough spending decisions to reduce government debt and deficits.

“Borrowing trillions to spend today, is effectively a tax on our children and grandchildren tomorrow. I remain committed to working hard on behalf of Florida’s hardworking taxpayers and families to advance common-sense reforms and principled policy and budgets that get our fiscal house in order.”

Background

H.R. 1158 provides funding for national security operations. H.R. 1865 funds domestic, non-defense programs and policies. The Democrats losses include amendments that would:

• Strip life-protections
• Block the border wall
• Undermine the Second Amendment
• Limit low income students’ access to school choice options in DC
• Burden the truckers and haulers with regulations and riders that would harm the economy

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