Washington, D.C. — Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, today voted to save taxpayers more than $200 billion, protect veterans Second Amendment rights, stop the DOJ from targeting parents and cut the budgets of ATF, EPA, and the DOJ.

 

“Last week in response to my inquiry, 90% of my constituents said that Congress should pass a budget that spends less than last year, so today I did,” said Rep. Webster. “I ran for office pledging to do my part to slow the spigot of spending and get our fiscal house in order. Under this bill, for the first time since 2013, the Federal Government will spend less money this year than last year.” 

 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, will save taxpayers $200 billion over the next ten years, while making cuts to specific federal agencies and programs. 

 

Webster further commented, “I wish the spending reductions were more substantial, but we cannot let perfect be the enemy of good. Given how much deficit spending President Biden and Chuck Schumer have embraced over the last three years it is remarkable that Republicans were able to make any meaningful cuts to the budget. Today’s budget is a step in the right direction, and for these reasons, on behalf of my constituents and grandchildren I was obligated to vote yes. 

 

“I was pleased to see some of my colleagues join me in rejecting the Washington presumption that nothing in the federal budget can be cut in order to fund our priorities without increasing the deficit. There is more work to be done. I will continue fighting to reduce spending even further as we begin development of FY2025 budget.”

 

This bill is a compilation of funding measures for the Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. In addition to long-term taxpayer savings it:

 

• Fully funds Veterans’ health care and benefits. 

• Prohibits the Department of Justice from targeting or investigating parents who exercise their right to free speech at local school board meetings and prevents the DOJ from investigating or prosecuting churches on the basis of their religious beliefs.
  
  
• Strengthens tracking and review of foreign ownership of U.S. agriculture land. 
  
  
• Prevents the sale of oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.
  
  
• Cuts $1.2 billion from the FBI through deep cuts to their operating and construction budgets.

• Reduces the ATF’s by 7% and blocks their attempt to limit veterans’ second amendment rights.

• Cuts funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by 10% and rejects the Biden Administration’s request for $275 million for so-called environmental justice.

• Provides funding to expand law enforcement efforts to combat human trafficking, the fentanyl crisis, and community safety. This includes funding requested by Lake County Sheriff’s Office, supported by Congressman Webster to purchase, and implement RAPID DNA System to bolster law enforcement efficiency, investigations and reduce crime lab backlogs countywide.

• Cuts $3.2 billion from the Department of Transportation’s budget, while also securing funding for two key projects in Central Florida that were priorities of Congressman Webster.
  • Realignment of Jeff Fuqua Boulevard and South Park Place/Station Loop Road at Orlando International Airport (MCO) which will help simplify traffic movements, reduce congestion, decrease pollution from idling vehicles at red lights, and improve overall traffic flow at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
  • Planning and design for a bridge/flyover I-4 west of US 27 to connect FDC Grove Road to the Northridge Trail to relieve traffic congestion.

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