Staff Reports
On Tuesday, Republican appropriators took a strong position against President Biden's budget proposals, passing a measure that would reduce spending for the Department of Transportation and reject the majority of funding requests from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. With a vote of 34-27, the full House Appropriations Committee approved the bill, which seeks to allocate nearly $90.3 billion to two departments and affiliated agencies. This amount falls shy of Biden's ambitious spending projections by more than $8.5 billion.
House GOP advances bill to slash funding for Transportation Department after heated markup https://t.co/flnVzXCKTv
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 19, 2023
While the measure reduces the budget of the Department of Transportation by approximately $7.2 billion compared to last year, it increases funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development by $8 billion compared to fiscal 2023. However, this falls short of the $2.4 billion increase requested by Biden. In lieu of writing a blank check to the administration, Republicans have made it abundantly clear that they value fiscal responsibility and will prioritize funding fundamental missions.
The measure also prohibits federal funding for initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the promotion of critical race theory. In opposition to the radical agenda of the left, Republicans assert that taxpayer funds should not be used to advance divisive ideologies. It is encouraging to see legislators standing up for common sense and rejecting pernicious ideologies that seek to divide our country.
Tom Cole, chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies subcommittee, emphasized the bill's significant expenditure cuts and the elimination of 19 grant programs as the September 30 deadline for Congress to approve all 12 appropriations bills approaches. Republicans are committed to limiting government expenditure and ensuring that tax dollars are used prudently.
The markup session, however, became quite contentious when Chairman Cole introduced an amendment to prohibit the display of the "gay pride" flag in department and agency buildings and to prohibit government financing of centers that promote transgender medical procedures. Representatives of the Democratic Party retaliated with preposterous and unfounded attacks, resorting to name-calling and designating their Republican colleagues "bigots" and "terrorists." When confronted with opposing views, it is regrettable that Democrats cannot engage in civil discourse and instead resort to personal assaults.
Republicans have made it clear that they are committed to reducing government spending and putting the needs of the American people first, despite potential obstacles in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where the measure is likely to encounter opposition. It is crucial that we continue to resist extreme progressive initiatives such as climate change measures, funding for wasteful projects such as the California High Speed Rail, and initiatives based on the divisive critical race theory. Our nation deserves fiscal responsibility and a government that supports the American people's values.
