Rep. Takano Statement on Continuing Resolution
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after voting against the continuing resolution, which would fund the government through February 16 but excluded protections for Dreamers.
“The continuing resolution passed tonight by the House of Representatives contained many provisions that I supported, including a six-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. However, it also failed to include essential, bipartisan priorities.
“When the President canceled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in September, he called on Congress to pass legislation that would provide permanent protections for the 800,000 young Americans covered by DACA. Several bipartisan solutions to that crisis have been negotiated by members in both chambers, but no such language was included in this continuing resolution.
“Further, this continuing resolution, like the one passed in December, failed to address urgent priorities such as the opioid epidemic, and funding for Community Health Centers. Nor did it provide additional necessary funding to help disaster victims in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas, Florida, or California.
“Last year, House and Senate Republicans twice attempted to upend our nation’s entire health system with rushed, controversial and highly partisan bills. In December, they crammed a massive tax cut for billionaires and large corporations through Congress at a breakneck pace, and without a single Democratic vote. It is clear that when an issue matters to Republican members — or their donors — they are willing to move quickly. Meanwhile, Dreamers across America have been waiting for months for this Congress to step up, do our job, and protect them — to no avail.
“It is beyond time that we end the crippling uncertainty facing Dreamers, and I could not be more disappointed in my Republican colleagues for once again ignoring this crisis. Tonight’s continuing resolution failed to address America’s priorities or reflect America’s values, and for that reason I voted against it.”
Press Contact
Richard McPike
(202) 225-2305