Dear Senator,

On behalf of 1.8 million Americans for Prosperity activists in all 50 states, I urge you to oppose H.R. 2112, the Senate’s “minibus” appropriations bill. This funding measure lacks the meaningful cuts needed to rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending and get our debt under control.

I urge you to vote NO on H.R. 2112, the “minibus” appropriations bill coming to a vote this week. Americans for Prosperity will rate this vote in our congressional ratings.

This year’s appropriations cycle has shown, yet again, the system’s deep flaws. President Obama proposed a budget in February that was so bad it was unanimously rejected in the Senate. Instead of offering an alternative, the Senate hasn’t even tried to pass a budget for over 900 days, evading their responsibility and denying the American people the transparency and open debate they deserve.

Only the House has shown initiative to govern. Earlier this year the House did its job and passed a budget under the leadership of Rep. Paul Ryan. The $30 billion in discretionary spending cuts for FY2012 were a small step in the right direction, and Americans for Prosperity supported Mr. Ryan’s legislation. The House then crafted, debated, and passed a number of appropriations bills throughout the summer. AFP’s concern has been that the individual House appropriations bills didn’t cut enough spending to meet the Ryan budget’s levels. What we’ve seen thus far from the House is a combined $9 billion in cuts, fully $21 billion short of the cuts agreed to in April.

Even with those shortcomings, the House effort is far and away better than the latest flop brought to the floor this week. The Senate has remained idle and has shown no leadership in crafting a budget or taking up the tough task of reining in government spending. Instead of receiving the careful consideration they deserve, the Agriculture; Commerce, Science, and Justice; and Transportation and Housing appropriations bills will be roped together in one package, a so-called “minibus” bill.

More disappointing is that this bill would maintain the bloated spending levels we’ve seen in recent years. Taken together, these three bills trim a mere $1 billion (0.8 percent) from last year’s $129 billion in spending in these three areas, woefully short of the action that is needed. However, even these miniscule spending cuts are overstated: when you include all outlays and “appropriated entitlements” this legislation would actually increase spending compared to last year.

I urge you to vote NO on H.R. 2112, the “minibus” appropriations bill. Americans for Prosperity will rate this vote in our congressional ratings.

Sincerely,

James Valvo
Director of Government Affairs
Americans for Prosperity

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