Lummis Statement on Vote Against $1.5 Trillion Government Funding Bill

March 11, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citing concerns over increased spending and continued funding for vaccine mandates, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) voted against a massive $1.5 trillion government funding bill today.

“The United States is over $30 trillion in debt, but instead of taking a serious look at our actions, Congress just greenlit a seven percent increase in non-defense discretionary spending,” Senator Lummis said. “Members of Congress once again found themselves between a government shutdown and a massive federal spending bill. In the future, we should end this cycle of false choices by making spending at current levels automatic unless Congress agrees to a deal that actually helps Americans. This would be a win for taxpayers in Wyoming, and would finally allow us to start clawing our way out of debt.

“Anytime there is a spending bill this big, it includes some good things, and I am proud of the bipartisan support we are showing for the people of Ukraine in this one. But, frankly, I am disgusted that Ukraine funding is strapped to a massive, irresponsible spending package like this, because it forces us to choose between helping the Ukrainian people and further indebting our own constituents. It was a cynical ploy to buy votes.

“A spending bill this large always has serious flaws as well, and this one is no different. It continues to fund President Biden’s vaccine mandates, which I cannot support. It also contains anti-Second Amendment provisions that threaten the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms. Because of these and other reasons I ultimately had to vote against this bill.”

###