First FY 2020 Appropriations Bill Reported Out of Committee

Washington, May 08, 2019

WASHINGTON – Today, the Full Committee met to consider the fiscal year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee's appropriations bill. Committee Republicans were unable to support the bill due to several new policy proposals included in the bill and a total spending level the President has made clear he will not support.

Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) said, "Unfortunately, due to a return to Obama-era policies, unnecessary restrictions on federal agencies, and unsustainable spending increases, we were not able to support passage out of the Committee. 
 
"We will work with the Republican-controlled Senate and White House to ensure problematic language and funding is removed from this bill before it is signed into law."
 
Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK) added, "While I don't doubt the value of many of the programs included in this bill and I don't disagree with generous funding for some of them, the current version of this bill is not realistic. It spends too much and isn't even based on a real topline funding level agreed to by both chambers. Moreover, the legislation would needlessly micromanage Administration officials and impose unnecessary limitations on funding directed to various agencies and departments. Unless the bill changes considerably in conference, it is unlikely to pass the Republican Senate or be signed into law by President Donald Trump."
 
Backing their commitment to conservative policies, Republican Members offered amendments to:
• Guarantee the right to emergency medical care for children born alive following an abortion;
• Support the full request by the Trump Administration for humanitarian assistance along the southern border for unaccompanied alien children;
• Ensure access to quality and affordable health plans, such as association health plans; and
• Protect the right to life and free exercise of conscience for all Americans.