Reviewing the government funding debate

Here’s my take on what happened regarding government funding. First, House Republicans passed the appropriation bills for Defense, Homeland Security, and the State Department. Specifically, in the Homeland Security bill, I successfully added my amendment to block the Biden Administration’s proposed $600 fee on farmers and small businesses here in Southwest Michigan.

With the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m., it became clear that a short-term funding bill would be necessary so the House could continue its work on appropriations. Republicans put up for a vote a 30-day stop gap measure that protected funding for defense, the VA, and homeland security while enacting a near 30% spending reduction for discretionary programs over that one-month period. Additionally, this measure inserted H.R. 2 – the Secure the Border Act. This bill was sent to the Senate in May and is the strongest border security legislation to pass the House in the modern era. Importantly, this short-term funding measure also included my Fiscal Commission Act of 2023, which I recently introduced, as an amendment.

While I supported this conservative stopgap, sadly, it fell short of a simple majority because 21 Republicans and every Democrat voted against it. While some believe a shutdown would somehow produce a more conservative outcome, I do not share this view based on experience from previous shutdowns in 2013 and 2018. The decision was then made to put a 45-day funding bill on the House floor. To give our conference more time to reduce spending through the appropriations process and avoid a government shutdown, I supported this temporary measure.

The House’s approach stands in stark contrast to the Senate which has yet to pass a single individual appro

priations bill.

House Republicans are working to change how Washington operates. No one said it would be easy, but making positive change is often difficult. I hope this sheds light on how things unfolded. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact me at Huizenga.House.Gov or by phone at (616) 251-6741 in Holland or in Portage at (269) 569-8595.