Letter from Scott Perry, Member of Congress
March 1, 2016

Dear,

        Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate learning your views on the recent vote on the FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

        I voted against the $1.1 trillion Omnibus because it continues policies that are fiscally irresponsible and threaten our national security. The United States is now $19 trillion in debt, yet leaders in Washington continue to spend money in an unsustainable manner. Our National debt is our greatest security threat - not to mention that it hurts our ability to create family-sustaining jobs and makes us uncompetitive globally. The Omnibus funding measure was a missed opportunity to shore up America's finances and institute a deliberate, long-term budgeting process.

        Unfortunately, the House and Senate passed and the President signed the Omnibus into law on December 18, 2015. The majority of my colleagues in Congress apparently see no importance in dramatically cutting the massive spending that's dominated discretionary and non-discretionary budgets in the past years. The Omnibus is $50 billion higher than the levels set by the original Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA). Since its enactment in 2011, the BCA caps have been exceeded each year, which simply is irresponsible and must stop.

        Not only does the Omnibus continue the unsustainable, fiscally irresponsible federal spending, but also funds President Obama's misguided policies for another year; for example, the president's program to resettle Syrian refugees in the United States. The President's own national security advisors repeatedly have warned that the U.S. government lacks the resources and information needed to fully vet Syrian refugees - which is why I joined 289 of my colleagues in a veto-proof, bipartisan majority to pause the Syrian refugee process until an effective vetting system is in place.

        I'm pleased, however, with certain aspects of the funding measure, such as a two-year delay of the Obamacare tax on many Americans' health insurance plans. The Omnibus also ends an oil export ban that hinders job growth and empowers our Nation's enemies. Despite these positive policies, I ultimately decided to vote against the bill because our Country's security cannot continue to be threatened by spending money we simply don't have.  Congress must do better and I'll continue working toward that end.

        Once again, thank you for contacting me. I appreciate your concerns and welcome your continued feedback. Hearing from my constituents is extremely important to me. Please visit my website at perry.house.gov to submit further questions/comments or to sign up for my e-newsletter, Facebook page, and/or Twitter updates.
      Very Respectfully,

      Scott Perry
      Member of Congress