Smith Statement Opposing Security Minibus

“The “Security Minibus” appropriations bill the House is currently debating is completely disconnected from the realities that our country faces and the spending choices we must make. This spending package includes funding for the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Legislative Branch, Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers, agencies of the Department of Interior, and several independent agencies.

“I am strongly opposed to this legislation because of the level of defense spending it mandates. We cannot continue to increase defense spending at the expense of critical domestic funding priorities such as transportation infrastructure, protecting the environment, ensuring access to education, and providing affordable health care. Additionally, the minibus would require $1.6 billion in wasteful funding for an unnecessary border wall for which the President promised American taxpayers wouldn’t pay, and eviscerates vital funding for clean energy and advanced energy research. The bill does not reflect the priorities of the American people and fails to acknowledge the finite resources that we have at our disposal.  

“As Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I recently voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). I did so because I support the policies contained in the NDAA, but I have and continue to raise serious concerns with the unsustainable budgeting that has become the norm for defense spending. In contrast to the NDAA, which authorizes the critical programs for our men and women in uniform, today’s bill spends an untenable level of funding for the Department of Defense. This legislation would trigger sequestration cuts that would make our budget challenges infinitely more difficult to solve. We need to make hard decisions about our fiscal future and invest in building an economy that works for all Americans.”