Preventing Paygo Sequestration

Floor Speech

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Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1868, the bill to prevent across-the-board direct spending cuts.

It should come as no surprise to my Democrat friends. They were told during what little process we had in the $1.9 trillion spending bill that it was going to disproportionately hurt seniors and that it was going to hurt farmers.

My friends were told this, and they ignored that, knowing they would have to fix it later and drive something just as irresponsible through now.

A disproportionate share of this $2 trillion goes to urban, poorly run, Democrat cities and States at the expense of our rural, blue- collar Americans who feed, clothe, and protect America every day. We told my friends this weeks ago, and they ignored it.

I am deeply concerned that the Democrats would enact a bill that adds $1.9 trillion to an American deficit without the support of a single Republican. Over 200 voting Members of this body had no opportunity for input into this massively destructive package.

The Biden administration promised the American people bipartisanship and unity. However, they unilaterally drafted and pushed this bill through without any Republican support.

Now, the Democrats have hastily put together a bill that jeopardizes the standing of our seniors and mortgages the future of our children.

My colleague, Ranking Member Smith, reminded the Democrats of the consequences of such a dramatic increase in mandatory spending: a $36 billion cut to Medicare beginning in 2022. Democrats would rather cut benefits to American seniors in rural America than give up checks to illegal immigrants and prisoners.

The Democrats have taken advantage of the need of the American people. My colleagues are advocating for a more responsible alternative that would remove the wasteful spending of the Biden bailout bill and protect the most vulnerable population. We must cut the billions of liberal State bailouts and be sure money already authorized is spent responsibly.

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