Rep. Bonamici Statement on Passage of “Cromnibus” Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a bill to fund the government through September 2015.

“We should not be passing a funding bill that threatens the well-being of working families and the safety of the American public. Congress should make sure that the government continues to operate, but the bill the House passed today includes multiple provisions that will be harmful to Americans, especially those who are still struggling.

“This legislation is supposed to be a funding bill to keep the government operating, but it guts important consumer protections that are designed to prevent the kind of risky practices that caused the 2008 financial crisis. That is the wrong direction for our country. Additionally, the bill funds the Department of Homeland Security only until February of 2015, which puts the security of our nation at risk. Again, the wrong direction for our country. And the bill does not continue Oregon’s important Secure Rural Schools program, which has provided desperately needed funds to many of our county sheriffs and public safety officers. This is the wrong direction for our country and for Oregon. Finally, this bill takes us backward in campaign finance reform by lifting a cap on donations and allowing big donors to write checks up to ten times the current limit. Definitely the wrong direction for our country.

“At a time when too many still feel like they are struggling to get ahead, this bill favors a small number of Americans over the hard-working majority. It is unfortunate that my colleagues were not able to find common ground to fund our necessary federal agencies and programs without loading the bill with numerous flawed policies that favor a few. Our constituents and our country deserve better.”

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