Henrico Times

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued a statement following his vote for the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act. This action comes as the fiscal year nears its end and negotiations between Senate Democrats and the House remain unresolved regarding the topline number for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).

"With the end of the fiscal year approaching and Senate Democrats refusing to negotiate with the House on an acceptable topline number for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), I voted today for a short-term funding measure to keep the government open and operating for Americans," Wittman stated.

Wittman also expressed his support earlier this month for a funding measure paired with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which he cosponsored. He voiced his frustration over House Democrats' rejection of this legislation.

"Earlier this month, I supported a plan for a funding measure paired with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act – which I am a proud cosponsor of – so that we could both meet our funding obligations and ensure election security. I remain frustrated that House Democrats tanked such a common sense piece of legislation," Wittman remarked.

The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act is described by Wittman as a minimal bill aimed at preventing additional spending or unrelated provisions from being added by the Senate.

"The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act is a very narrow, bare-bones bill including only the extensions that are absolutely necessary. It will prevent the Senate from jamming the House with a bill loaded with billions in new spending and unrelated provisions. While this is not the solution I prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances," he said.

As an advocate for fiscal responsibility, Wittman called for Congress to return to regular order and criticized its recess break in August instead of passing all 12 government funding bills. He has introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at increasing transparency in the budget process.

"As a longtime advocate for fiscal responsibility, I continue to call for a return to regular order. Congress should have worked through August instead of taking a break for recess in order to pass all 12 government funding bills. That is why I’ve continued to introduce legislation that would bring transparency back to the budget process and hold Members of Congress accountable for not completing their work on time," Wittman emphasized.

To date, more than 70% of federal government operations funding has been passed by the House for FY25, while no FY25 government funding bill has yet been passed by the Senate.

Wittman's accountability measures include:

- No Budget, No Pay Act: withholding Members’ pay until a budget is passed.

- Stay on Schedule (S.O.S) Resolution: preventing Congress from adjourning for August recess until all 12 government funding bills are passed.

- Inaction Has Consequences Act: withholding salaries of Members if regular government funding bills are not passed timely.