12.18.15

Sullivan Votes Against 2,200 Page $1.8 Trillion Spending and Tax Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 2029, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, a $1.8 trillion spending and tax reform bill:

“This was a difficult vote for me. This 2,200 page $1.8 trillion spending and tax reform bill contains several provisions that I have advocated for, and will continue to press for, that benefit some Alaskans, small business owners, and the energy sector. However, voting in favor of such a massive and consequential piece of legislation, without having had the opportunity to fully understand and vet its positive and negative implications for Alaska and our nation, or offer amendments, is something that I could not do in good conscience.

“The way in which we fund our federal government – in this case, 72 hours to read a 2,200 page $1.8 trillion take-it-or-leave-it bill, negotiated behind closed doors by just a few members of Congress and the White House – is broken and not worthy of our great nation nor the people we represent. It is also a principal reason why we have seen such an explosion of trillions of dollars in debt, which this bill adds to, that imperils our nation’s fiscal stability and our children’s future.

“Alaskans are currently debating – through a transparent, open, and yes, contentious process – how to best address the state’s very significant fiscal challenges. The federal government should be doing the same. This bill and the process that produced it demonstrates we aren’t. Going forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues to improve this process. That is what Alaskans and the American people deserve.”

###