Casten Statement Opposing Minibus for Lacking Appropriate Safeguards
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 7006, for the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act:
“This minibus fails to put all necessary checks on the Trump Administration’s escalating and unlawful conduct. It is the duty of Congress to conduct oversight and act as a check against the excesses of the Executive Branch.
“It does not sufficiently strengthen congressional oversight of the Trump Administration’s illegal actions in Venezuela and its increasingly reckless threats toward Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Greenland. Congress will not be a bystander while the Administration tests the boundaries of its authority and drifts toward conflict without a plan, transparency, or lawful authorization.
“I supported and fought for amendments in the Rules Committee that would have put guardrails in place and prevented U.S. taxpayer dollars from being used to entrench a dangerous policy in Venezuela. Unfortunately, the Committee refused to consider these amendments.
“Further, I am strongly opposed to the cuts to IRS enforcement funding included in this bill. This is an intentional policy choice that makes it easier for the most well-resourced corporations and individuals to dodge the rules while ordinary families and small businesses pay what they owe.
“I should also note that this bill is a vast improvement over the first draft prepared by Republican leadership, thanks in no small part to the work and negotiating skills of Rosa DeLauro and her fellow Democratic appropriators. While I could not support final passage, I am grateful for all that they did to make it much better than it otherwise would have been.”
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