Cicilline Votes to Avert Shutdown, Urges Bipartisan Cooperation on Future Spending Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) today spoke on the House floor urging his colleagues to join him in supporting the short-term spending bill to prevent a government shutdown and then work on bipartisan long-term spending legislation to best serve the America people.

Importantly, today’s stop-gap measure includes $1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program that helps eligible low-income households pay their heating bills through federal grants directly to the household. Earlier this month, Congressman Cicilline joined with a coalition of representatives from the New England Congressional Delegations in urging the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to include this additional funding in any spending bills.

The Congressman’s remarks, as delivered, are below.

I rise today in support of this continuing resolution.  

In addition to averting a disastrous government shutdown, this legislation provides critical funding to continue our support for Ukraine, resettle Afghan refugees, support communities impacted by natural disasters, and help low-income families heat their homes this winter.  

However, we still have work to do, as this package lacks funding to support our public health response to COVID-19 and monkeypox – also known as MPV.

Our public health workforce is depleted and exhausted from battling the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years. They cannot stop the spread of these outbreaks without additional federal support.

Both viruses disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. Congressional inaction will deepen these disparities.

I urge my colleagues to vote today to avert a government shutdown and then join us in working on long-term funding bills that address these public health crises and the other priorities of the American people.

And I want to end by thanking the extraordinary Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Rosa DeLauro for her leadership in negotiating today’s legislation and thank her for all she’s done, and I yield back.
 

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