Chairman Walker on Decision to Consolidate Appropriations Bills

August 7, 2017

WASHINGTON - In response to reports that the remaining eight appropriations bills will be combined with the "security minibus," Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman Mark Walker (R-N.C.) released the following statement:

"Last July after taking input from RSC members, I introduced an amendment to the ‘security minibus' that would have brought all 12 appropriations bills to the floor and allowed for an amendment process to pass a Republican spending bill prior to the August district work period. While I believe we should have passed our spending bills prior to adjourning and put pressure on the Senate to do the same, this decision to consolidate appropriations is the best option available with weeks left before the end of the fiscal year. In order for this process to work, there needs to be a robust amendment process for Republicans so that final legislation reflects that Republicans majorities were elected to the House, Senate, and White House.

"Further, there are many other important issues that Congress must address by the end of September. Unlike the appropriations process, the House should consider each of these challenges independently on the merits of the policy, not politics, and not in a consolidated fashion that forces us into a take-it-or-leave-it vote on such substantial issues before the House."

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