Press Releases
The Republican Recap: Week of September 25, 2023
Washington,
September 30, 2023
Here’s a recap of what Republicans achieved on the House Floor this week:
Ensuring Strong Defense of the American People ✅ As threats to our nation rise from foreign adversaries and at the border, it is vital Congress fulfills its duty to responsibly fund our national defense, support our military, and keep American citizens safe. But while Republicans focus on national security issues like deterring China, President Biden prioritizes promoting his radical social agenda, such as funding the Left’s green initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. House Republicans' plan for funding the Department of Defense (DOD) ensures our military has the resources it needs to deter our adversaries or defeat them, enhances the DOD's role in combatting the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, expands support for servicemembers and their families, increases oversight, and promotes innovation. H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024, introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert, provides FY24 appropriations to the Department of Defense that prioritize the fight against China, invest in modernizing the military, and counter the flow of fentanyl while cutting wasteful spending in the President’s budget that funds divisive social programs. “The House of Representatives just passed a historic defense appropriations bill that addresses America’s national security challenges. The bill advances my priorities as Chairman to ensure America’s military superiority over the People’s Republic of China and by creating a culture of innovation within the Defense Department. It also addresses the deadly fentanyl crisis by making the largest investment on record for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. I am also proud to include a pay raise for all troops and an average pay increase of 30% for junior enlisted servicemembers,” said Rep. Ken Calvert. What Members Said: Rep. Greg Pence highlighted how H.R. 4365 refocus the DoD on the true mission of the military: to defend our country and its citizens, instead of Democrats' woke social agenda.  Rep. Juan Ciscomani celebrated the well-deserved pay raise for our troops included in H.R. 4365.  Securing Our Border and Protecting Our Homeland ✅ This August, there were 232,972 illegal border crossings – the most of any month in 2023. Fiscal Year 2023 is on pace to surpass Fiscal Year 2022 as the worst year at the border with the most migrant encounters on record – both of which occurred under President Biden, who maintains the border is secure and refuses to address the crisis. Thankfully, House Republicans are taking action with a plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security that will secure our southwest border by increasing the number of Border Patrol Agents to 22,000 (the highest level ever funded), providing funds for the construction of a border wall, forcing Secretary Mayorkas to build physical barriers along our border, and restoring funding for border security technology. Our plan also cuts funding for Biden’s woke agenda, including defunding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and instead puts money towards taking into custody and removing criminals and countering China. H.R. 4367, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024, introduced by Rep. David Joyce, provides FY24 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the southern border, counter China, remove criminals from the United States, and strengthen our national security, while defunding far-left initiatives in the Department. “One of the most pressing challenges this country faces is the border security crisis that has raged since President Biden took office. The funding provided in this bill to build the wall, increase the number of Border Patrol Agents, and bolster border technology, forces the Biden Administration to finally address this crisis. I am proud to see this legislation pass with a bipartisan vote, making it the first time this bill has passed as a standalone in the House chamber in 8 years. Thank you to Chairwoman Granger and my colleagues in the House for supporting this important legislation,” said Rep. David Joyce. What Members Said: Rep. Claudia Tenney pointed out how H.R. 4367 helps secure our borders.  Supporting Our Allies and Deterring Our Adversaries ✅ To strengthen our national security and position as leader on the world stage, we must ensure our allies are supported and our adversaries are deterred. House Republicans passed a bill to fund the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs that would demonstrate unwavering support for Israel and other key allies in the Middle East, strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, invest in countering China’s malign influence, and prohibit funds for the PRC. Additionally, the bill reinforces American values across the world by supporting religious freedom programs abroad, banning “disinformation” or “misinformation” programs that violate free speech, increasing accountability at world organizations, and promoting freedom in the Western Hemisphere. It is vital we protect our interests abroad and our security at home, and this bill does just that. H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, provides FY24 appropriations that combat the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party, support our allies, promote American values here and abroad, and prioritize our national security, while defunding counterproductive climate programs, unnecessary regulations that hurt American business, and controversial organizations like the World Health Organization. "I am very pleased the House passed the FY24 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill. This critical legislation significantly reduces wasteful spending while prioritizing and strengthening our national security. This bill supports friends and allies of the United States while countering those who oppose our interests or cozy up to our enemies. “The bill includes real cuts with a 25% reduction from the Administration's request and a 14% reduction from last year's funding level. Furthermore, the bill ensures efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness across the board. Organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, and United Nations Relief and Works Agency no longer get a blank check, and will be held accountable for their failures, lack of transparency, and corruption. “Most importantly, this legislation addresses the growing national security threat posed by Communist China and stands by our allies and key partners like Israel, Taiwan, and Jordan. This bill promotes democracy, human rights, and broadcasts within repressive countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, Communist China, Belarus, and Iran. “I am very proud of this legislation, in which we reviewed every program and scrubbed every dollar in the bill, line by line. This bill represents a fresh approach to foreign affairs by safeguarding American national security interests in a responsible and thoughtful way," said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. What Members Said: Rep. Chuck Edwards focused on how H.R. 4665 bolsters America's values at home and abroad.  The House Appropriation Committee called attention to how H.R. 4665 strengthens our national security, counters China, supports our allies, and promotes America's values at home and abroad.
 Preventing a Government Shutdown ✅ House Republicans took action to prevent a government shutdown and make sure vital programs remain funded so we may continue working on appropriations bills that cut government waste and secure our border. House Republicans have already passed legislation funding over 70 percent of our government, but the Senate hasn't taken up a single appropriations bill. It's time for them to start doing their job. Every dollar appropriated by the government should work for the American people, not against them. This is just the beginning of our fight to secure our border, get government spending under control, and get our economy back on track. H.R. 5860, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act, introduced by Rep. Kay Granger, extends government funding through November 17, ensures our military service members and Border Patrol agents will continue to be paid, provides critical disaster relief funding, and extends the authorization and borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program. What Members Said: "Over these last few days, you saw the House pass over 70 percent of funding of government – appropriations bills – to the Senate, with the priorities of the House to address our border crisis, to address getting our economy back on track, to get our military focused on the threats that are posed by countries like China. And so, that focus will continue. Our work will continue. There is a lot of work left to be done. There's another 45 days. That doesn't mean that what just happened today ends. That means these next 45 days we're going to be busy working here in the people's house," said Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Rep. John Duarte emphasized that it's time for the Senate to do their part in helping to responsibly fund our government.  Rep. Nick Langworthy highlighted that H.R. 5860 ensures critical programs continue and military families don't miss a paycheck.
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