[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2018

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, last week, I voted against H.R. 1625, 
the fiscal year (FY) 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Most 
troubling, the bill shortchanges our nation's young people by failing 
to adequately address the gun violence epidemic. The bill also 
dismisses the urgent need to provide greater clarity for Dreamers and 
takes a cruel and heartless approach to immigration that does not 
reflect our country's values. It does all of this while also failing to 
make tough decisions about our defense priorities. It maintains a $78 
billion increase in defense spending above last year's levels without 
dealing with wasteful and unnecessary nuclear expenditures that will 
make our country less secure.
  That said, I credit our negotiators for funding key Democratic 
priorities and eliminating many Republican ``poison pill'' policy 
provisions. The omnibus included several key provisions that I support. 
The legislation includes additional funding to address our nation's 
crumbling infrastructure, including transit grant programs that I have 
long championed, and maintains critical funding for our public 
broadcasters. The bill also fully funds the Trade Enforcement Trust 
Fund, includes a $4.6 billion increase for our nation's affordable 
housing programs, and maintains full support for program to ensure the 
U.S. continues increasing access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for 
the world's poorest people.
  This is a tough job, and I commend the negotiators for their hard 
work.

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