Press Releases

PORTLAND, MAINE – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the rescissions package submitted by President Trump that House Republican leadership introduced last night:

“If President Trump really cared about fiscal responsibility, he wouldn’t have signed a tax reform package that put us on the path to trillion dollar deficits with little benefit to working families. Now, generous tax breaks for the wealthy are being used to justify eliminating funds that, of all things, were set aside to provide children's health care and help disaster-struck communities recover. The Administration’s misplaced priorities couldn’t be any clearer. 
 
“The process of this rescission package goes beyond the pale in bypassing the Appropriations Committee entirely to go right to the House floor. Caving to the President’s latest whims in this way would set a harmful precedent. Congress can barely keep the government’s doors open as is. Knowing that tough decisions about spending agreements can be reversed at any time will only make the process more difficult and uncertain. With so many issues deserving Congress’ attention, I can’t believe we’re wasting valuable time with this rescission package.”