LANGEVIN OPPOSES THIRD ATTEMPT TO PASS PARTISAN DEFENSE SPENDING BILL

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after voting against the Fiscal Year 2018 defense spending bill, which passed by a vote of 250-166:

“I voted to end the shutdown in the hopes that Republican leadership would finally move forward on a bipartisan budget proposal. Unfortunately, a week later, we are once again voting on a one-party bill that does not address the shutdown looming on February 8. Our military needs the certainty provided by a full year budget rather than short term funding extensions, but so do our educators, healthcare professionals and the construction workers updating our infrastructure. We must deal with the spending caps that are hampering not only our national security but the entirety of government. Security is not just about guns, bombs, and bullets. By focusing solely on military spending, this bill leaves out funding for border security, law enforcement investigations, and programs that promote family security like education, housing and healthcare. I call on my Republican colleagues to come to the negotiating table so that we can do our jobs and keep the government open.”