HYDE-SMITH SAYS VOTE FOR BUDGET AGREEMENT SUPPORTS NATIONAL DEFENSE, AVOIDS U.S. TREASURY DEFAULT
Miss. Senator Troubled by Deficit Spending Linked to Pact Made with House Democratic Majority
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today said her vote for a two-year budget agreement was the responsible choice needed to continue the President’s agenda to rebuild the U.S. military, secure the border, and protect the full faith and credit of the United States.
“I spoke one-on-one with President Trump at length, and he asked me personally to support his budget agreement. We are united in knowing this is the best deal we will get considering Democrats control the House. This agreement does not appropriate funds itself, but it will provide two years of stability in the budget process, with targeted increases to support the Department of Defense.
“When I go out to Arlington Cemetery and see all the graves with their headstones, it strengthens my resolve to make sure our military and veterans receive the resources they need and deserve. That, along with having the funding to secure our border, fulfills our fundamental constitutional responsibility to provide for the common defense.
“I am not happy about the deficit spending associated with this agreement, but I also know it could have been much worse. I am pleased that it will stop Democrats from funding abortions, or weakening Second Amendment rights, or pushing an open borders agenda.”
The Senate on Thursday voted 67-28 to approve the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 (HR-3877), which was negotiated between the Trump administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to establish budget caps for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The agreement also includes a prohibition on “poison pill” riders in appropriations bills, such as blocking the President’s authority to transfer money toward construction of a border wall, and undoing current pro-life protections like the Hyde amendment, which bars federal funding for abortions.
Without the agreement, budget sequestration mandated in the 2011 Budget Control Act would have forced steep indiscriminate spending cuts across all federal departments, agencies, and programs, including those serving the military, veterans, farmers, and seniors. In addition, failing to pass an agreement would have sent the United States into default for the first time in its history.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Bipartisan Budget Act would reduce mandatory spending by $77.3 billion. President Trump has indicated he will sign the agreement, which passed the House of Representatives on July 25.
###