Representative Ken Calvert (CA-42) wrote a Facebook post against the $1.7 trillion spending bill passed by Congress last week, saying it is "unconscionable to now ask taxpayers to pay for an 8% increase in non-defense programs" after the administration has spent $3 trillion outside of normal appropriations.
"Americans understand that when Congress jams through an omnibus 4,000 page, $1.7 trillion bill just hours before Christmas there are going to be a lot of winners and losers – and on balance taxpayers are getting a raw deal," Calvert said on Facebook. "After President Biden and Speaker Pelosi have spent more than $3 trillion outside of our normal appropriations process over the past two years, it’s unconscionable to now ask taxpayers to pay for an 8% increase in non-defense programs."
Calvert, a Republican and senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, went on to explain why he voted against the measure, which was ultimately passed by Congress on Friday, Dec. 23.
"I voted against the bill because this reckless level of spending is unsustainable and inflationary.... Funding our government is one of the most basic and fundamental constitutional responsibilities held by Congress. Unfortunately, our Senate counterparts failed to do their job," he said.
Calvert accused these senators of creating "disastrous results" with a "last-minute effort to catch up on essential legislation and negotiations that should have occurred months ago" and therefore was not the best work that taxpayers deserve. "The Republican House Majority must ensure Congress returns to a timely appropriations process next year," he said.
The government funding bill now heads to President Biden, who has said he will sign it into law, according to a report by the Associated Press. The spending bill will finance federal agencies through September and increase aid to Ukraine. According to AP News, the bill passed largely along party lines, 225 to 201. Nine House Republicans voted for the bill, and one Democrat voted against it.
Meanwhile, Representative Raul Ruiz (CA-36) championed the funding, particularly due to the investments included for the Indian Health Service (IHS). According to a press release issued on Rep. Ruiz's website, the included funding for the IHS is a historic first.
"Tribal health facilities are the primary source of health care for Native communities in my district and across the country," he said. "In order to address the health disparities Tribal communities face, it is essential that we provide robust support for the IHS."