Financial Services And General Government Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

* Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to yet another Appropriations bill that we are forced to debate under a structured rule. Had important amendments been permitted to come to the Floor, Members would have had an opportunity to change the destructive policies this bill contains. Most importantly, for the first time in over a decade, this Congress will lift the ban on funding abortions in the District of Columbia. We will now have tax dollars from across this nation flowing into our nation's capital for ending the life of unborn children. Simply put, a vote for this bill is a vote for the destruction of innocent life.

* I am also concerned that this bill is silent on the issue of marriage. After unprecedented action by the DC City Council to redefine marriage, this Congress has neglected its responsibility to protect traditional marriage.

* Finally Mr. Chair, this bill continues the runaway federal spending that more than anything else has characterized this Appropriations process, and frankly, this entire Congress. At a time when Americans are facing extraordinary challenges, the federal government is running up record deficits and accumulating debt that our kids and grandkids may never be able to repay. Substantive amendments that would have given Members a real choice in spending priorities and funding levels have been prohibited. The American people deserve better. It is time for this Congress to start putting our fiscal house back in order and to protect the timeless values that millions of Americans hold dear; namely, life and family. This bill falls far short and I encourage a "no'' vote.

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