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In Congress January 17, 2019

January 17, 2019
Press Release

January 17, 2019

This week, House Democrats voted to:

  • H. J. Res. 27and H. J. Res. 28– End the shutdown and reopen the federal government immediately
    • Allows hardworking federal government employees to get back to work while discussions continue on border security.
    • The Trump Shutdown continues to put America’s food safety, border security, airport security, and air traffic safety in jeopardy.
    • The White House’s own economist estimates the shutdown has already slashed economic growth projections for the first quarter and could ultimately push the United States economy into a contraction. The White House now calculates that the shutdown reduces quarterly economic growth by 0.13 percentage points for every week that it lasts.

  • H.R. 268– Provides more than $700 million for disaster funding and reopens the federal government
    • Provides recovery funds for Americans devastated by Hurricanes Michael, Florence, Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Typhoon Yutu, and wildfires across the West.
    • Ensures that all departments within the federal government are fully funded so negotiations on border security can continue.
    • Protects taxpayer-funded disaster recovery money from a raid by the President to pay for his wasteful wall, which he vowed Mexico would pay to build.

In addition to voting to end the Trump Shutdown, reopen the government, and provide disaster funding, House Democrats voted to disapprove of Rep. Steve King’s endorsement of white supremacy and white nationalism. Congressional Democrats also voted to keep sanctions in place on companies controlled by an influential Russian oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Congressional Republicans failed to stand up to Trump and Russia to approve the measure.

  • H.Res. 41– Condemn white nationalism and white supremacy
    • Expresses the full House of Representatives’ disapproval of Rep. Steve King’s vile comments and condemns white supremacy and white nationalism.

  • H.J. Res. 30– Prevents the Trump Administration from lifting sanctions on companies controlled by the Russian oligarch once called “Putin’s favorite industrialist.”
    • Reverses a decision last month by the Treasury Department to lift sanctions it imposed last year on companies controlled by the oligarch Oleg V. Deripaska, including the aluminum giant Rusal. The sanctions were imposed in response to Russian interference in the 2016 election.
    • There are too many unanswered questions about the decision to lift the sanctions. They should remain in place at least until the Mueller investigation is complete.