Hoyer Statement on House Republicans’ Repeated Refusal to Consider the President’s Budget

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer released the following statement today after House Republicans once more refused to consider the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget: 

“Today, House Republicans defeated a motion that would have allowed the House to call up a resolution directing the Budget Committee to follow forty years of precedent and hold a hearing with the OMB Director on the President’s budget, effectively doubling down on their decision to ignore the Administration’s budget priorities.  President Obama sent his budget to Congress on February 9, but before it had even been unveiled it was met with an unprecedented statement from Chairman Price and Chairman Enzi that the House and Senate Budget Committees would not invite OMB Director Donovan to review it.  Never since the 1974 Budget Act set up our modern budget process has the Majority simply dismissed a president’s budget out of hand. 

“The resolution House Democrats would have offered simply said: Congress cannot ignore its responsibility to give the President’s budget priorities a fair hearing, as they have always had in the past.  We cannot ignore proposals that address the major challenges we face together as a nation.  If the Majority disagrees with the Administration’s ideas, they should address those disagreements in their own budget. 

“While we had expected to see House Republicans release their budget this week, it has become apparent that internal divisions within their Conference have once again led to gridlock and delay.  Perhaps, if they were to allow the Administration’s insights to be heard even in a single hearing, it might be easier to find common ground.  For example, the President’s budget abides by the bipartisan budget agreement reached in October.

“As House Republicans prepare the draft of their own budget, I urge them to adhere to the October agreement and maintain their credibility as negotiators by acting in good faith.  It is very disappointing that they continue to reject longstanding precedent by insisting on shutting their eyes and ears to the ideas and views of the executive branch, with which the Congress must find common ground in order to govern this nation.”