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Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee, called on her colleagues to oppose Republicans’ stopgap funding bill. In remarks on the House Floor, Pingree argued that full-year continuing resolutions are not a responsible way to govern, and that Republicans should do their job and come back to the negotiating table to pass a regular full year government funding bill. 

“The bill does not set funding levels for individual programs, and because it doesn't, it creates another dangerous opportunity for President Trump and Elon Musk to defund congressional priorities. And we all know what a disaster that has been for our country: an illegal, unconstitutional disaster,” Pingree said. “It is the duty of Congress to negotiate regular spending bills. This means that we actively decide on every individual program’s funding level, and we make adjustments where necessary.” 

“[…] I am deeply concerned that the Republican majority is giving the administration a free pass to abandon programs that protect the public from pollution, that safeguard human health, and that address the climate crisis,” she continued. 

A transcript of Pingree complete remarks is copied below. 

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you very much to the ranking member for yielding me this time. I oppose this full year continuing resolution and urge my colleagues to reject it. If we vote no and reject this CR, we can go back to work and negotiate a regular full year spending bill. This full year continuing resolution is not a responsible way to govern.

The bill does not set funding levels for individual programs, and because it doesn't, it creates another dangerous opportunity for President Trump and Elon Musk to defund congressional priorities. And we all know what a disaster that has been for our country: an illegal, unconstitutional disaster. It is the duty of Congress to negotiate regular spending bills. This means that we actively decide on every individual program’s funding level, and we make adjustments where necessary.

For example, the Indian Health Service needs an additional $345 million just to maintain current direct health care services. This continuing resolution fails to provide those funds, so tribal communities will experience a lower level of health care service. A regular bill also gives very specific directions to agencies to carry out specific work. For example, in prior years, the Interior bill in the interior bill, we have directed the EPA to conduct PFAS research that will help farmers, ranchers, and rural communities manage the disastrous impact PFAS has had in places like my home state of Maine.

Under this continuing resolution, without our direction, this administration may decide that work should stop. As Ranking Member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I am deeply concerned that the Republican majority is giving the administration a free pass to abandon programs that protect the public from pollution, that safeguard human health, and that address the climate crisis. 

I urge you to vote no, and I yield back my time.

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