Isakson Statement on Vote to Fund Government Through Fiscal Year 2011

Apr 14, 2011

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., again called for Congress to switch from an annual appropriations process to a two-year process after voting for a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through the end of fiscal year 2011 as part of a deal negotiated last week to avert a government shutdown. It was at least the sixth time the Senate has voted on a funding resolution for the current 2011 fiscal year, which began six months ago on October 1, 2010.

The Senate passed the funding resolution which cuts spending by $38.5 billion, by a vote of 81-19. The House passed the measure earlier today and the legislation will now be sent to the President for his signature.

“I hope this is the last short-term continuing resolution I ever have to vote on. This whole episode is proof why we need to switch to biennial budgeting so we can fund the government for two years at a time and conduct much-needed oversight every other year. That is how we will be able to cut spending, reduce our debt and eliminate our deficit.”

Isakson introduced S.211, the Biennial Budget Appropriations Act, earlier this year with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) which would switch Congress from an annual appropriations process to a two-year cycle, with a requirement that every other year be devoted to scrutinizing federal programs to determine if they should be continued, reduced or eliminated. This legislation has garnered bipartisan support with 27 co-sponsors in the Senate.

Isakson also voted today in favor of resolutions to defund the President’s health care law and to defund Title X, which includes funding for Planned Parenthood. Both resolutions failed in the Senate.