[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 174 (Wednesday, December 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSIONS ACT, 
                                  2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 21, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3082, 
a continuing resolution that would fund federal government operations 
on a temporary basis through March 4, 2011. Regrettably, one of the 
last votes of the 111th Congress has become the first vote of the 
Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
  As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I take seriously 
my annual responsibility to assess funding priorities, perform 
oversight, and allocate federal dollars where they are most needed and 
will make the greatest impact. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues 
in the House and Senate are choosing to abandon this important work. 
They are blocking action on a fiscal year 2011 funding package that 
would respond to the current needs of the American people and make 
critical investments in our communities.
  Due to Republican obstruction, the House is forced to consider this 
appropriations measure, which places the Federal Government on auto-
pilot for two months. All difficult decisions are being delayed until 
another day. Critical federal agencies including the Federal Aviation 
Administration and Department of Defense are being subjected to 
enormous--and avoidable--uncertainty. And the uncertainty created by 
this short-term continuing resolution goes far beyond Washington. Every 
state and community across the country will be debating whether they 
are able to move forward with critical investments, such as the Central 
Corridor Light Rail in Minnesota.
  This temporary appropriations measure underfunds critical priorities 
in every area of American life from education and agriculture, to 
transportation and energy. It is inexcusable to withhold necessary 
investments in the American economy while adding to the deficit with 
tax cuts for the wealthiest in our society. But that is exactly what 
Congress is doing this month as a result of the reckless game of 
brinkmanship my Republican colleagues are playing with the American 
people.

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