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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) released the following statement today regarding his vote against the Senate’s funding resolution, which includes an extension of the nation’s borrowing authority:

“This has been a challenging and frustrating time for our country, and one which I had hoped we would be able to avoid. For weeks, House Republicans acted multiple times to keep the government open, including the passage of four complete funding bills, and sought to engage with Senate Democrats in good faith negotiations, but each time the Senate was quick to dismiss any proposal or even come to the table to talk. We were told by both President Obama and Senator Reid that they would not accept anything but a “clean” continuing resolution, but the Senate bill that has been brought up tonight has over 40 additions included within it.

“In the latest proposal put forth by House Republicans, we simply asked to provide fairness for all Americans under the President’s harmful health care law. And yet, while President Obama is willing to provide delays and waivers for big business and special interest groups, he was not willing to negotiate with House Republicans on a plan that would require the President, Vice President, and President’s Cabinet to participate in the ObamaCare exchanges. Additionally, it would have also prevented Members of Congress and staff from receiving an employer contribution towards their exchange costs that hardworking Americans cannot receive. I find it hard to understand why President Obama and Senate Democrats are not willing to live under the law that they created and passed. The original intent of our Founders was that the House of Representatives ‘can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society.’ (James Madison in the Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 57)

“With our national debt racing to $17 trillion, I cannot in good conscience vote to raise the debt limit without true reforms. Past presidents, including Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and President Obama in 2011, participated in negotiations to reduce our national debt and deficit during previous debt limit debates. No one wants to default, but we cannot continue to kick this can down the road. We need to restore order and bring transparency to the process to protect and improve the lives of our future generations.”

In addition to the four continuing resolutions that were passed by the House, 14 bills to fund critical functions of the government have been passed with bipartisan support, which Latta supported.

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