Murkowski Speaks Out on Rescission Package
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement following the passage of the rescissions package late Wednesday evening:
“I voted against approving this rescissions package for three key reasons.
“First, it is still unclear how specific accounts within the areas targeted for rescission will be impacted. Neither the administration nor others involved in this process have provided sufficient explanation and transparency about the programs and priorities that would be cut as a result of this measure.
“Second, while some changes have been made to protect global health programs, we still lack necessary details, including which ones will be zeroed out. There is no way to determine the implications for lifesaving care and vital resources for women and children abroad. I also strongly oppose the rescission of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. My colleagues are targeting NPR but will wind up hurting – and, over time, closing down – local radio stations that provide essential news, alerts, and educational programming in Alaska and across the country. During the vote last night, I advanced an amendment to protect funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that disappointingly failed. This was just hours after we saw the value of public broadcasting in my state as Alaskans anxiously awaited updates following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that triggered a tsunami warning. Fortunately, there was no damage reported from the earthquake, and the tsunami warning was quickly canceled. But as we see life threatening natural disasters occur more frequently around the country, that will not always be the case.
“Finally, and most importantly, approving this package in this manner further shifts the balance of power over the federal budget to the executive branch. Congress, not OMB, holds the power of the purse under the Constitution. To the extent that certain appropriations are not necessary to comply with the laws passed by Congress, we can best address that through the annual budgeting process, where we routinely rescind funds every year.
“Nothing in our floor debate or vote-a-rama alleviated my objections to this mystery box of a rescissions package, so I voted against it.”
Ahead of a procedural vote Tuesday evening, Senator Murkowski spoke on the Senate Floor expressing her objections to this process. Her full remarks can be found here.
