WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04), member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the Senate's continuing resolution:
"I voted No on the Senate’s shutdown deal. It is a disappointing deal that does not prioritize the health of Americans — the very heart of our spending debate.
Because of Congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend ACA tax credits, nearly 20,000 of my constituents are at risk of losing their healthcare. Many will not be able to afford the massive premium increases set to take effect at the end of the year. People will face unimaginable, difficult choices.
Throughout the longest government shutdown in American history, we witnessed the Trump Administration’s cruelty as they willfully neglected their duty to fund SNAP for 42 million Americans, including more than 50,000 of my constituents.
We have also seen the pain of dedicated federal employees working without pay — especially our military, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and Capitol Police. It is for that reason I am relieved to see the shutdown end.
But this is no way to run a government: one temporary spending bill after another. As an appropriator, I am committed to funding our government wholly and appropriately — the Republican majority failed to do so.
What’s more alarming: the Senate snuck a shockingly corrupt provision into this “clean continuing resolution” that allows eight Senators, whose phone records were lawfully seized in connection to the January 6th insurrection, the ability to sue the federal government and receive a minimum of $1 million taxpayer dollars each. How does this befit our duty to fund needed federal agencies and our dedicated federal workers?
Our budget is a reflection of our values. This temporary funding bill does not reflect my values — or the values of my constituents.
Yet, I am determined to move forward and keep fighting to lower healthcare costs for our communities."
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
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