Yorktown@: February 2024

Thursday, February 29, 2024

An Update on Government Funding

Friend,As a longtime advocate for fiscal responsibility, I am once again frustrated that we find ourselves budgeting by crisis. Ever since I came to Congress, I've been bewildered by why it is so difficult for Congress to fulfill its most basic responsibility: funding the government. This week, Congress passed a short-term extension of funding deadlines to avoid a government shutdown, and an agreement is now in place for government funding bills to be finalized, voted on, and enacted by March 22. These bills will adhere to the Fiscal Responsibility Act discretionary spending limits and January's topline spending agreement.Rather than jamming through bills immediately before the deadline, this short-term extension ensures that Members of Congress and the public will have ample time to review the legislation prior to a vote in the House, the first of which is expected next week.This short-term extension also blocks a significant and costly expansion of Pell Grant eligibility that was announced by the Biden administration this week, which would have unilaterally expanded eligibility to 280,000 new borrowers. Stopping this permanent expansion will save billions in taxpayer funds.It is completely unacceptable for it to have taken this long, but we need to finalize FY24 funding so we can make real spending cuts for FY25.This disaster is just another reason why I continue to reintroduce legislation to hold Members of Congress accountable and bring transparency and accountability back to the budget process:My No Budget, No Pay Act would withhold Members' pay until a budget is passed. My Stay on Schedule (S.O.S.) Resolution would prevent Congress from adjourning for August recess until all 12 appropriations bills are passed. And my Inaction Has Consequences Act would withhold the salaries of Members of Congress if we do not pass the 12 regular appropriation bills in a timely manner.Sincerely, P.S. Do you know someone who would be interested in this information? If so, forward this email and invite them to sign up for my newsletter here.

Friend,

As a longtime advocate for fiscal responsibility, I am once again frustrated that we find ourselves budgeting by crisis. Ever since I came to Congress, I've been bewildered by why it is so difficult for Congress to fulfill its most basic responsibility: funding the government.

This week, Congress passed a short-term extension of funding deadlines to avoid a government shutdown, and an agreement is now in place for government funding bills to be finalized, voted on, and enacted by March 22. These bills will adhere to the Fiscal Responsibility Act discretionary spending limits and January's topline spending agreement.

Rather than jamming through bills immediately before the deadline, this short-term extension ensures that Members of Congress and the public will have ample time to review the legislation prior to a vote in the House, the first of which is expected next week.

This short-term extension also blocks a significant and costly expansion of Pell Grant eligibility that was announced by the Biden administration this week, which would have unilaterally expanded eligibility to 280,000 new borrowers. Stopping this permanent expansion will save billions in taxpayer funds.

It is completely unacceptable for it to have taken this long, but we need to finalize FY24 funding so we can make real spending cuts for FY25.

This disaster is just another reason why I continue to reintroduce legislation to hold Members of Congress accountable and bring transparency and accountability back to the budget process:

My No Budget, No Pay Act would withhold Members' pay until a budget is passed.
My Stay on Schedule (S.O.S.) Resolution would prevent Congress from adjourning for August recess until all 12 appropriations bills are passed.
And my Inaction Has Consequences Act would withhold the salaries of Members of Congress if we do not pass the 12 regular appropriation bills in a timely manner.

Sincerely,

P.S. Do you know someone who would be interested in this information? If so, forward this email and invite them to sign up for my newsletter here.

Home | About Rob | Newsroom | Services | Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
2055 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4261
Fax: (202) 225-4382

TAPPAHANNOCK OFFICE
508 Church Lane
P.O. Box 3106
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: (804) 443-0668
Fax: (804) 443-0671

GLEN ALLEN OFFICE
4201 Dominion Blvd
Suite 110
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Phone: (804) 401-4120
Fax: (804) 270-4643

YORKTOWN OFFICE
307 Main Street
P.O. Box 162
Yorktown, VA 23690
Phone: (757) 527-6270

Unsubscribe | Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter

*Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the First District I have established a contact form on my website. Please click here if you would like to send additional correspondence.