WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) voiced his opposition to a Democratic bill to raise current limits on discretionary spending. The bill, H.R. 2021, does not include spending cuts or revenue increases to offset the cost of raising the spending caps. Rep. Phillips voted “no” on a procedural vote today that would advance the bill to the House Floor for consideration.
After the vote, Speaker Pelosi announced that she would abandon plans to bring the bill to the Floor, due to opposition from members of the Democratic caucus.
“The current federal budget deficit is over a trillion dollars,” said Rep. Phillips. “For the sake of future generations, we need to make sure that any additional spending is done responsibly. Raising spending caps without offsetting the costs elsewhere continues the trend of running up the federal deficit with no end in sight. I voted ‘no’ today because we need more time to determine how to prioritize and pay for important investments in public health, education, infrastructure, housing, and environmental protections without further bloating our out-of-control deficit.”