Letter to Hon. Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, Rep. Castor Statement on House Passage of Continuing Resolution

Letter

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
RE: Republicans in Congress Blocking Pay Raise for Military Service Members and Fueling
Economic Uncertainty and Higher Costs on American Families and Business Owners
Dear Minority Leader McConnell,
I urge you to end your intentional obstruction of the National Defense Authorization Act,
annual appropriations bills, and the Build Back Better Act, as you are causing economic harm to
American families and businesses at a time when the economy is bouncing back from Covid19
and people are returning to the workforce in much higher numbers. American families deserve
leaders who are going to stand up for them, help lower costs and improve their lives, yet
Republicans in Congress are intent upon causing chaos and economic turmoil solely for political
purposes. One Republican senator recently celebrated higher prices on working families by calling
it a political "gold mine." That's terrible.
I represent many military service members, families and veterans in the Tampa Bay area,
and I am particularly concerned that you are blocking a pay raise for our military and Department
of Defense (DOD) civilians and forcing a "continuing resolution" (CR) that hamstrings DOD and
other agencies from investing in our evolving national security missions. Service members and
military leaders despise CRs because they are costly to the various military missions and leave
them unable to plan operations effectively and confidently. Long-term CRs also impair the ability
to plan and execute timely contracts and cost critical resources. When Republicans block a military
pay raise and fuel economic turmoil, it impacts everyone, businesses large and small. Doing so as
we enter the holiday season simply to score political points is cynical and wrong.
Not only does a long-term CR hurt the service members I represent in Tampa, but it also
hurts the small businesses across Tampa Bay that work with DOD to keep our warfighters and
homeland safe. The National Defense Industrial Association hit the nail on the head in a recent
letter, "it [CR] is a poor stand-in for the full-year appropriations desperately needed by our
warfighters. The limbo caused under CRs wastes precious time and money our nation cannot
recover." The technologies developed by Tampa area businesses have improved our military
capabilities and created good-paying jobs, but that growth is at risk under CRs. We know that
uncertain funding from CRs leads to contract delays and rebids, which costs the federal
government money as well as small businesses in my community.
Fortunately, under President Biden's leadership and with passage by Democrats of the
American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the holidays this year will be
far brighter and happier -- and our economy stronger -- than it was last December. While developed
countries around the world are facing inflation and higher prices because of a global pandemic,
Americans are better off than families around the world. Even after inflation, the typical
American family has more money in their pockets than they did last year or the year before
that -- we're the only developed economy where that's true. And, while we still face challenges,
we see good news across the economy. Jobs are up. Wages are up. Child poverty is down by 40
percent and new small businesses are up by 30 percent.
Now, we have a chance to build on that progress, to lower prices, and to fight inflation with
the President's Build Back Better Act. In fact, a new report showed that a typical family of
four would see tax cuts and savings of $7,400 a year under the President's plan. And the Build
Back Better Act is fiscally responsible -- unlike the GOP tax scam. It fully covers the cost of its
investments by asking the largest corporations and richest Americans to pay a little bit more. It is
the first major piece of legislation in more than a decade that is not only fully paid for, but will
generate more than $100 billion in deficit reduction.
You have made it clear that you will oppose the President's plan. Congressional
Republicans have the opportunity to work with us to lower the cost of daycare for a middle-class
family, but instead you said, "No - pay more.' Republicans could help us reduce the cost of taking
care of an elderly parent, but again you said, "No - pay more.' The cost of prescription drugs could
have been lower -- a lot lower -- just $35 a vial for insulin. But Republicans are telling the American
people, "No - pay more.'
This morning, we received additional evidence of the strength of America's historic
economic recovery and welcome news that many of our neighbors are getting back. New
unemployment claims are now at a level not seen since March 7, 2020, and last week's claims
were revised down to their lowest level since 1969. Initial unemployment claims are now down
more than 70 percent since President Biden took office, and total claims filed each week are
now down by around 16 million over that same period. America's jobs recovery is strong thanks
to President Biden and Democrats. In addition to recent steps the President has taken to address
supply chain bottle necks and reduce the price of gas at the pump, the historic Build Back Better
Act will cut costs that American families have struggled with for years. Today's data underscore
the historic progress we are making and the importance of building on that progress in the weeks
ahead.
I urge you to stop throwing a wrench into America's progress with your harmful
obstruction. Support the brave men and women who serve our nation selflessly and help us build
on the improving American economy. Stop causing economic turmoil and uncertainty for our
neighbors just to score political points. Congressional Democrats stand ready to work with you to
confront national security challenges, sustain American competitiveness and innovation and lower
costs for families.
Happy Holidays,
Kathy Castor
United States Representative
Florida -- District 14
P.S. I have included a helpful graphic to remind you of the progress House Democrats have made
to Build Back Better for the American people.

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