McClellan Statement on the Musk-Republican Billionaire Giveaway

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after House Republicans brought H.R. 10515 to the floor: 

“From the beginning of the 118th Congress, House Republicans have shown an inability to govern and taken the country to the brink of disaster several times. As a result, the United States federal government has operated under a stopgap funding measure for months. From day one, House Democrats have been ready to put people over politics and find a commonsense consensus to pass appropriation bills to fully fund the government. After months of partisan posturing and brinkmanship, congressional leaders developed a strong bipartisan, bicameral Continuing Resolution to extend current funding levels through March. That deal also included important investments for mental health and substance use disorders, maternal and infant health, pharmacy benefit manager reforms, pandemic preparedness, and an extension of the SNAP benefit replacement authority that I advocated for during negotiations. 

“At the behest of Elon Musk during a social media tirade, House Republicans reneged on the deal,  killed the bipartisan CR, and brought a unilateral bill that paves the way for huge tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations. The Musk-Republican Billionaire Giveaway bill prioritizes the ultra wealthy and cuts critical funding that working families count on – like childhood cancer research – while raising prescription drug costs for hardworking American families. 

“I voted no on this bill and urge House Republicans to bring the previously negotiated bill to the Floor for a vote. With just over 24 hours to avoid a government shutdown, we cannot afford further delay.” 

Read more about H.R. 10515 here.