CHAIRMAN JOHNSON STATEMENT ON CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT

WASHINGTON – Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Johnson (R-La.) released the following statement regarding the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019:

"We have many concerns about this legislation, beginning with the process. The conference committee members were given just one hour to approve nearly 1,200 pages of text, the final bill was filed after 1 a.m., and members are expected to vote on it tonight. This legislation encompasses about a quarter of federal discretionary spending and will directly affect all Americans. Yet, I dare say not a single lawmaker voting for it today will have even read the bill. We know how that turned out with Obamacare, and now we are basing the security of our nation on the same failed, 'pass it to see what is in it,' system. This is unacceptable.

"Additionally, key provisions of the bill fail to provide the necessary resources to secure our border and protect the American people. Border funding is well below the president's requests, and the number of illegal immigrants ICE can detain is being reduced, which will undoubtedly lead to more ‘catch and release' policies. We made a promise to the American people that we would secure our border, and this bill falls far short of that goal."