Key Vote NO on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 2741

On behalf of FreedomWorks’ activist community, I urge you to contact your representative and ask him or her to vote NO on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 2741.

The process for this omnibus is the epitome of everything that is wrong with Congress. This massive, 2,741-page spending measure was negotiated behind closed doors, released in the dead of night, and will be voted in less than 24 hours after first being made public. This is yet another example of how broken our appropriations process has become as it emboldens Democrat and Republican leadership to continue spending and leaves the American people in the dark.

In total, the bill authorizes more than $1.5 trillion in annualized discretionary spending for fiscal year 2022. This amounts to a 6% increase in discretionary spending–not counting Ukraine and COVID-19 supplemental spending–and will total an additional $880 billion over 10 years.

Working Americans are hurting as inflation reaches its highest levels in 40 years, coupled with record-high gas prices stemming from President Biden’s failed energy policy. Instead of fighting for less government and cutting agency spending, the bipartisan establishment in Congress doubled down on federal spending policies that will only perpetuate the inflation crisis.

This bill also includes nearly $30 billion in emergency funding that is not subject to budget caps. Despite politicians conveniently declaring victory over COVID-19 during the State of the Union, this package sends $15.6 billion in emergency funds to combat the virus. Recognizing that there are billions of dollars left unaccounted for out of the nearly $6 trillion that Congress has already appropriated, additional funding is both irresponsible and unnecessary. The remaining $13.6 billion of emergency funding comes in aid to Ukraine and neighboring Eastern European countries. Lawmakers making the case that this spending is vital should be pushing to let it pass alone and on its own merits, not attached to supposed “must-pass” legislation.

Lawmakers are doing a disservice to the American people by pushing through this irresponsible spending package that no one has read. Between skyrocketing inflation and record-setting debt, the last thing we need is another reckless spending binge, yet that is exactly what the Washington Swamp is ready to do.

FreedomWorks will count the vote for H.R. 2741 on our 2022 Congressional Scorecard and reserves the right to score any amendments, motions, or other related votes. The scorecard is used to determine eligibility for the FreedomFighter Award, which recognizes Members of the House and Senate who consistently vote to support economic freedom and individual liberty.

Sincerely,

Adam Brandon, President, FreedomWorks