Westmoreland Stands Firm on Pledge to Cut Spending, Opposes Massive Funding Bill That Maintains Unsustainable Spending Levels

After months of uncertainty and three continuing resolutions, today the House of Representatives passed yet another continuing resolution to fund the government through March 4, 2011. The legislation continued funding for the federal government at the current levels. Westmoreland opposed the legislation for its failure to cut spending to pre-stimulus levels.

“I made a promise to my constituents that I would fight to decrease federal spending and pay off the deficit,” stated Westmoreland. “This country cannot continue down the unsustainable path it is on without serious repercussions for our children and grandchildren.”

Each year, Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills to fund the federal government for the following fiscal year. Even though they currently hold a majority in both the House and the Senate and also have control of the White House, Democrats have been unable to fully fund any of the 12 appropriations bills for the 2011 fiscal year, which began October 2, 2010.

“I still cannot understand how congressional Democrats – who still maintain control of both the House and the Senate – have failed for the fourth time to pass responsible appropriations bills for the 2011 fiscal year,” stated Westmoreland. “Tough decisions need to be made in Washington and this whole idea of continuing to pass the buck is simply unacceptable to me. Once this legislation expires next March, I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass a fiscally responsible funding bill for the federal government for 2011 and return the proper legislative process for spending measures for the 2012 fiscal year.”

The legislation has passed both the Senate and the House and will now be sent to the president for his signature.