Rep. Obernolte opposes massive social spending bill, says “CBO score proves the point” | Representative Jay Obernolte
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Rep. Obernolte opposes massive social spending bill, says “CBO score proves the point”

November 19, 2021

U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) voted no on the massive social spending bill on Friday morning after the non-partisan score from the Congressional Budget Office proved that the bill would add hundreds of billions of dollars to the federal deficit despite White House claims to the contrary. Partial Congressional Budget Office analysis released on Thursday evening showed that the bill would increase the federal deficit by at least $791,618,000,000 in the first five years after passage alone.

“The Congressional Budget Office analysis proves what we have feared all along. The cost of this bill is not $0 as has been claimed. In fact, it will cost the American public dearly in higher taxes, in lost jobs, and in increased inflation, with at least $791 billion added to our national deficit the first five years alone, and untold additional costs to follow in the future,” said Rep. Obernolte. “This is exactly the type of irresponsible spending that has lead us to a crisis point where inflation is at its highest point in 40 years, goods are stuck in our ports thanks to shortsighted labor policies and a broken supply chain, small businesses are struggling because they can’t hire workers, fentanyl is flooding into our community thanks to an open border, and American families are paying more than ever before for their Thanksgiving dinner. We must end these reckless policies and put America’s economy back on the right track.”

Rep. Obernolte led over 200 members of Congress including GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, Whip Steve Scalise, and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik in sending a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, calling for the vote to be postponed until the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office could issue a full score and analysis on the bill as required by both the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and House Rule XIII. The analysis that was released just prior to the vote validated the concerns of Rep. Obernolte and his colleagues, showing the bill would add an additional $792 billion to the federal deficit in the first five years alone.

Prior to the release of the Congressional Budget Office analysis, Rep. Obernolte once again took to the floor of the House to call for the postponement of the vote as the legislative body moved forward with debate on the bill.

WATCH THE FLOOR SPEECH HERE

REP. OBERNOLTE: “Two weeks ago I led over 200 members of the House in urging that we not vote on this bill until CBO had issued a cost score. And yet here we are about to vote on what is likely the largest spending bill in the history of this country paired with the largest tax increase in the history of this country. And I say “likely” because we really don’t know what the bill will cost. Apparently, we’re supposed to pass the bill before we’re allowed to know what it costs. Madam Speaker, that’s crazy!”