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I Could Not in Good Conscience Vote For Omnibus

March 22, 2018

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Cate Cullen (202)225-4921

Palmer: I Could Not in Good Conscience Vote For Omnibus

Washington, DC – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) released the following statement on the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, or the "Omnibus":

"While I strongly support the increased funding for our military, I could not in good conscience vote for the Omnibus that costs almost $1.3 trillion. The military threats to our national security are real and serious, but so is the fiscal threat to our national security. As a result of years of deficit spending, trillions have been added to our national debt, which recently reached $21 trillion for the first time. Eventually the bill will come due with major consequences for our nation. That said, everyone should realize that this deficit in the Omnibus bill is largely the result of a long train of abuses that includes:

  • Eight years of neglect of our military,
  • Shameful indifference toward our veterans,
  • Irresponsible entitlement spending,
  • Enormously damaging regulatory and tax policies, including Obamacare, that resulted in eight years of anemic economic growth,
  • And perhaps worst of all, the failure to do appropriations in an open and transparent process in both Houses of Congress as we are required to do by the Constitution.

"I continue to be committed to supporting our military, to working to find ways to eliminate deficits, reducing our national debt, and restoring the fiscal health and stability for our nation that is essential to the future well-being of every American."

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