Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting against the fifth short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) of the 2018 budget year in the House of Representatives:

“I voted no on today’s Continuing Resolution because I am not going to reward Congressional Republicans’ incompetent leadership. This resolution does nothing to address the priorities of this country.

“I am pleased that the CR includes funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, one of my longtime priorities. But this resolution is like ordering a sundae and getting only the cherry. The rest of this bill is utterly lacking on programs important to Washingtonians.

“The CR fails to adequately address the growing opioid crisis which is killing 600 Washingtonians every year.

“This measure also jeopardizes the health of families across the Pacific Northwest by failing to reauthorize Community Health Centers, which help ensure access to affordable primary care, behavioral health treatment, and other vital services.

“Republicans have also failed to put forward a long-term infrastructure plan that will create jobs by repairing our bridges, roads, highways and transit systems. Last spring, the Association of Washington Businesses released a report which found that Washington state needs over $190 billion in infrastructure investments, with highways and local roads alone requiring $134 billion in investment.

“Finally, this measure did nothing to help veterans who rely on the VA Choice program, which is quickly depleting its resources. This could lead to increased wait times for veterans trying to make medical appointments. This is unacceptable.

“The bottom line is Washingtonians deserve better. Americans deserve better. This measure deprives hardworking families, seniors and veterans of the vital services and safety-net programs they count on every day.”

Larsen joined House Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump, outlining essential priorities for the 2018 budget agreement:

  • Resources for communities to fight the opioid epidemic;
  • Funding for the VA Choice program;
  • Protections for Dreamers;
  • Funding for CHIP and community health centers that does not jeopardize vital health coverage for Americans;
  • Additional disaster recovery funding for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas, Florida, and states impacted by wildfires.
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