"Once again, the 118^th Congress stretched budget negotiations to the brink of a government shutdown. While we kept the government operational, the current majority left critical local safety and global security issues unaddressed because they decided to govern by crisis, yet again. I ultimately voted for this appropriations package to avoid a catastrophic shutdown, but the passage of another continuing resolution is not a cause for celebration.

"Prior to agreeing to this package, we made sure that this legislation unlocked previously unavailable FEMA funds, allowing the agency to resume disaster recovery project funding in the 19th Congressional District and across the country. However, this is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution for a chronically under-resourced agency. Without concrete action to boost federal funding for FEMA so it can properly manage the growing number of disasters our country regularly faces, we will find ourselves in the same financial situation, exacerbating the unacceptable delays that have hampered recovery efforts from last year's storms. Congress must continue to work together so that FEMA accelerates the appropriate amount of assistance to local governments.

"Additionally, this continuing resolution fails to extend Presidential Drawdown Authority for aid to Ukraine. This sends the wrong message to our democratic ally in its fight against Russian aggression. I remain committed to expressing strong Congressional support for the people of Ukraine and urge the Biden Administration to swiftly provide the support Ukraine needs to defend its homeland.

"We were not elected to Congress to put off hard decisions. Good governance is about the hard work of building coalitions and forging compromise on often complicated issues. When the 118^th Congress returns to Washington, I will continue to press for the action needed by our communities and country."

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