TPA Warns Congress Against an Omnibus Funding Bill

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224) 456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The current continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government is set to expire on December 20^th. If another funding bill is not passed by that date, there will be a partial government shutdown of non-essential departments and employees. 

One of the options presently being discussed is a bill that would fund the government through to September of 2025. This would place much of next year’s spending under the purview of outgoing members of Congress. Such a long-term spending bill would open the door for reckless spending and abuse. In order to protect taxpayers’ pockets, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) suggests funding the government through another short-term CR instead.

In response, Dan Savickas, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs offered the following comment:

“Passing an omnibus funding bill during the lame duck session would reflect an inability of the present Congress to learn from past mistakes. So often, congressional sessions wait until the last minute to fund the government, using the looming holidays as leverage. This leads members to take votes they wouldn’t otherwise, just to ensure they get home to their districts for Christmas and New Year’s. Such a course complete disregards American taxpayers’ hard-earned money, as they would bear the costs of such a festival of wasteful spending.

“Further, the American people have just spoken as to who they would like representing them in Congress. Those incoming members should have a chance to vote on these priorities to truly represent their constituents. Congress should maintain current spending levels through a short-term CR that lasts into the first quarter of next year. One of the first priorities of the new Congress and the new administration should be getting reckless spending under control. The election results show the people are clearly tired of the status quo.

“Congress should return to regular order, passing twelve spending bills that have been meticulously debated and open to amendments. They should strive to cut out wasteful spending wherever it may be found. As such, TPA will oppose any long-term spending bill proposed during this session.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.