Representative Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.-05) issued these remarks regarding Friday’s $1.9 trillion spending package:
Spartz
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1319. This $1.9 trillion spending package is being considered without meaningful debate and without Republican input. While more than 200 Republican amendments were proposed, Democrats only accepted two.
“I personally authored five commonsense amendments to improve government transparency and accountability, assist juvenile justice and foster care systems, and address concerns with standardized testing. All of them were unanimously rejected by Democrats.
“We must take action to address the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, but this bill does not address the concerns of everyday Americans. It addresses the desires of the Majority. It also does not address small business struggles. Instead, it adds more regulations on businesses already suffering from the pandemic.
“Less than nine percent of the $1.9 trillion authorized in this bill goes to defeating COVID-19. Under this package, taxpayers will have to finance the wish list of the Majority passed under the guise of relief.
“Democrats’ partisanship stands in the way of meaningful discussions about how to best serve our constituents. The American people need Congressional action to crush COVID-19. While there are portions of this bill I could support, I cannot support it in its current form.”