[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 124 (Friday, September 14, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION, 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2012

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, this Continuing Resolution will fund the 
government through March 27, 2013, avoid a government shutdown and 
maintain critical programs and services for the American people. It is 
not in every respect the bill I would have written, but it is 
consistent with the Budget Control Act of 2011 and reflects the 
bipartisan and bicameral agreement that is possible at this time.
  H.J. Res. 117 funds the government at an annualized rate of $1.047 
trillion, meets the President's request for Overseas Contingency 
Operations and includes modest increases for activities including 
cybersecurity, wildfire suppression and processing disability claims at 
the Veterans Administration.
  While I am gratified that today's legislation also includes a clean, 
six-month extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
(TANF) program, I regret that H.J. Res 117 continues to block common 
sense light bulb efficiency standards that would benefit consumers and 
the environment. Additionally, after two years of frozen pay, I believe 
federal workers should receive President Obama's recommended .5% cost-
of-living adjustment at the beginning of the fiscal year.

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