WASHINGTON—Heritage Action Executive Vice President Ryan Walker released the following statement today expressing disappointment in Republican opposition to Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) proposal to pass a six-month continuing resolution (CR) attached to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act).
With a government funding deadline looming, Heritage Action urges members of Congress to avoid another omnibus spending bill this year by passing a retooled CR to extend government funding into 2025:
“Passing another short-term CR and massive omnibus before the end of the year is exactly what Kamala Harris, Chuck Schumer, and Democrats in Congress want. Avoiding that scenario should be lawmakers’ top priority.
“It’s disappointing to see a small minority of Republicans oppose Speaker Johnson’s proposal to fund the government and secure our elections by again passing the SAVE Act. Opponents of the CR+SAVE Act claiming to support reduced spending have now set up a greater chance for a Democrat wishlist at the end of the year—but it’s not too late to avoid that outcome. Those members have left Congress with no choice but to pass a retooled CR that must extend funding to March, or at least early 2025.
“A CR that expires before Christmas will inevitably lead to another massive omnibus before the end of the year, which would be a disaster for the American people. Democrats will pack that bill with reckless spending and terrible policies to handcuff a potential second Trump administration. Heritage Action will not support an omnibus this year, period. The only option now is funding the government through 2025 and doing the work to elect conservatives in November.”
In an op-ed published in The Hill last week, Walker and Heritage Action President Dr. Kevin Roberts explained that six-month CR attached to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) was the best option for conservatives since Congress has failed to pass all 12 appropriations bills.
In the op-ed, Roberts and Walker wrote: “If the November elections result in a new president and stronger majorities in Congress, extending the CR into March would allow for appropriations bills drafted by more conservative lawmakers with input from a second Trump administration. This is the exact outcome Democrats are trying to avoid—and Republicans should ensure.”
With that option defeated by nearly all House Democrats and a small minority of House Republicans, the only path forward is a new CR that extends funding into 2025, when the newly-elected Congress and administration can craft a better budget.
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