Washington - This afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) unveiled a 10-week continuing resolution. The bill - the Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act - will necessitate a post-election lame duck session of Congress. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
"The latest CR proposal falls far short of conservative expectations. Some will argue that 'it could have been worse,' but requiring a post-election lame duck session of Congress ensures things will get worse. These lame duck sessions result in last minute deal-cutting that undermines governmental transparency and conservative priorities. Lawmakers should not pass a stop-gap funding bill that requires additional action in a lame duck session."
Throughout the appropriations process, Heritage Action evaluated each individual appropriations measure on the following three criteria: 1) level of spending; 2) funding of bad programs; and 3) exclusion of conservative policy riders. In addition to length, Heritage Action will use these criteria to evaluate any continuing resolution.
Related:
Heritage Action: No Lame Duck
Heritage Action: 10-Week Continuing Resolution Sets up Lame Duck Debacle
Heritage: The Implications of Regular Lame-Duck Sessions in Congress for Representative Government
Daily Signal: Over 100 Conservative Leaders Say No to a Lame-Duck Congressional Session After Election
Heritage: Lame Duck Weakens Accountability and Opens the Door to Unpopular Spending