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Jayapal Statement on H.Res. 1102 ‘NO’ Vote

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal released the following statement regarding her ‘no’ vote on H.Res. 1102, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, the final funding bill for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24):

“I voted no on this bill today. Despite strong negotiation from Democratic leadership in the House, we were ultimately tied to the levels set a year ago in the Fiscal Responsibility Act – legislation passed through extreme MAGA hostage-taking of our economy and the American people’s lives and livelihoods – that created cuts to domestic agencies while continuing to increase already bloated defense spending. 

“Republican intransigence on basic functions of governing has led us to this chaos, where they cannot even provide the majority of votes for the bill even when they hold the House majority and wrote the bill. This is not the way that Congress should do business. 

“In the end, H.Res. 1102 increases the already bloated Pentagon budget to $886 billion, even though the Pentagon just failed yet another audit—the only federal entity to have never passed an audit and yet we continue to increase funding while domestic priorities continue to get squeezed. We are consistently rewarding waste, fraud, and abuse in the Pentagon by providing them with a larger budget year after year. 

“This legislation also continues to promote a flawed, enforcement-only structure of immigration policy, although Democrats were able to keep out several MAGA-extremist enforcement policies. We should be focusing on real, structural changes that could provide the foundation for a more workable immigration system and alleviate issues at the southern border and in cities that are welcoming migrants. I have continually stated that I will work with anyone, on either side of the aisle, who is willing to engage in good faith on immigration reform.

“I am also very concerned that this package continues funding for the Netanyahu government with no conditions, while at the same time prohibiting funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). For decades, UNRWA has played a unique and integral role in supporting the welfare and survival of Palestinians in several countries. Humanitarian aid in the region is already severely restricted. Implementing a prohibition on UNRWA funding is irresponsible and unacceptable. As the largest contributor of funding to Israel, we should use our funding leverage to demand that humanitarian aid enter Gaza and that we have a lasting ceasefire and a return of all hostages. 

“I am grateful to Democratic leadership for preventing the worst Republican poison pills and I look forward to retaking the majority so Democrats can bring order and prosperity back to the House and all Americans.”

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