WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representative’s passage of a measure providing funding for our troops for the rest of this fiscal year and cutting an additional $12 billion in federal spending:

“The first and foremost responsibility of the federal government is to provide for our national defense, in fact that is in the Preamble of our Constitution. I believe strongly that Congress has no greater duty than to ensure that the brave men and women of the Armed Forces, many of whom today are serving on foreign battlefields in defense of freedom, have the certainty that the funding is in place to support their efforts abroad and their families here at home. We also have a responsibility to continue to work to reduce out-of-control federal spending while making every effort to ensure that our government continues to operate. Today, I was proud to vote in favor of a continuing resolution which met all of those duties by cutting an additional $12 billion in federal spending cuts, funding our troops for the balance of this year and keeping our government operating for another week while consensus is found on other funding.

“The fact of the matter is that the only reason it was necessary we consider this legislation is that last year the formerly Democrat controlled Congress and President Obama failed to pass a budget or even one regular appropriation bill to fund the government for this fiscal year. As a result of their abdication of this important responsibility, the government has been operating under short term funding bills since that time. Since taking office in January, the new House Republican Majority has done our part to fund the government for the balance of the year and reduce spending by more than $100 billion from the President’s budget request for this fiscal year and over $60 billion from last year’s total. Today, House Republicans again sent a strong message to President Obama and the Senate that we have once again done our part to ensure that our Armed Forces are properly funded, that we continue to reduce spending and the federal government stays open to continue the people’s work.

“I simply cannot believe that President Obama has issued a veto threat against this legislation. I believe it is unconscionable for the commander in chief at a time when he has ordered our forces into battle to threaten to veto the funding that is necessary for those troops to achieve the important mission to which they have been sent and to support their families at home. Now is not the time to play petty politics. Now is the time to tackle these important responsibilities. I urge the President and the Senate to join us in getting this important work done.”

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