Wilson Statement on FY 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2009

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed an omnibus spending bill totaling $410 billion – an eight percent increase in appropriated funding over FY 2008 levels. Congressman Wilson opposed this legislation while expressing support for an immediate freeze on government spending at current levels.

“Today’s omnibus spending bill is not the type of fiscally responsible, reform-minded leadership the American people voted for and deserve. If this Congress is going to chart a different course in how we govern, we cannot continue to bring legislation like today’s bill to the floor with little debate and massive increases in spending.”

The rule under which the omnibus bill was brought to the House of Representatives for debate included a provision to suspend the automatic pay increase for Members of Congress in 2010. Congressman Wilson voted in favor of this rule.

“When Americans are losing their jobs and seeing their pay cut, Members of Congress should not be getting a raise. Today’s vote in favor of a halt to the congressional pay increase was a small but important show of respect to American taxpayers. Unfortunately, the omnibus spending bill was not.”

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