Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 9747 - Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House)
(Rep. Cole, R-OK)

The Administration supports passage of H.R. 9747, making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year (FY) 2025, and for other purposes. H.R. 9747 would keep the Federal Government open until December 20^th and give the Congress more time to complete full-year funding bills later this year that deliver for America's national defense, veterans, seniors, children, and working families, and address urgent needs for the American people, including for communities recovering from disaster.

In addition to providing short-term funding for core Government operations, the Administration appreciates the inclusion of language that would protect nutritional assistance for vulnerable families whose benefits are stolen. However, the Administration is deeply disappointed that congressional Republicans continue to block critical funding requested by the Administration to avoid severe disruptions to several critical Government services, including effectively ceasing operations of the Small Business Administration disaster loan program later this fall. H.R. 9747 fails to include critical funding to help communities across the Nation respond to and recover from disasters. In addition, the bill fails to include necessary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, creating a risk that the agency would slow hiring and reduce healthcare services to veterans, as well as failing to provide the funding necessary to prevent the continuing deterioration in service for the over 71 million Americans who rely on the income support Social Security programs provide. Further, while the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the resources it needs between now and December to continue its successful efforts to ensure that households making more than $400,000 pay the taxes they owe, the Administration will oppose any cuts or restrictions on the IRS in final appropriations legislation which would limit the IRS's ability to crack down on wealthy tax cheats, and increase the deficit.

The Administration calls for swift passage of this bill in both chambers of the Congress to avoid a costly, unnecessary Government shutdown and to ensure there is adequate time to pass full-year FY 2025 appropriations bills later this year.