Representative John Carter (TX-31) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 2740, the minibus appropriations bill.

“The Democrat appropriations bill fails to adequately address several of the issues facing the country,” Rep. Carter said. “It ignores the crisis at the border and cuts critical Defense programs, all while raising spending for wasteful domestic programs and repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force, which would jeopardize the DoD’s ability to conduct counterterrorism operations.

“These appropriations bills are the definition of the cart before the horse. Congress has not agreed on a budget, and without that guidance, these funding bills have unrealistic topline numbers and spend nearly $176 billion above current budget caps. In fact, the Democrats’ funding path puts us on track to add $2 trillion in deficits over the next two years.  

“While there are some provisions that I support in the legislation, there are too many partisan policy riders and too much reckless spending without a budget to support this legislation.”

H.R. 2470 combined five appropriations bills: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Defense, State and Foreign Operations, Energy and Water Development and Legislative Branch.

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Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus and Ranking Member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations.