Norcross: We Must Stop Governing From Crisis-To-Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) issued the following statement on his vote in favor of the appropriations deal that prevents another shutdown:

“Our country hasn’t even licked its wounds from President Trump’s egotistical, politically-motivated temper tantrum that forced 420,000 federal workers to work without pay and 380,000 to face the uncertainty of a forced furlough, and we cannot make our workforce go through it again.  And, that is not even taking into account the thousands more federal contractors who went without pay, as well. American workers undeservedly were the ones that suffered during the longest-ever, 35-day shutdown and that’s despicable. I voted in favor of today’s funding bill to keep our government open because of America’s workers and my fundamental belief that we must stop governing from crisis-to-crisis.

“There are still casualties out there; for example, we still must pass my Fairness for Federal Contractors Act to provide back pay for the 1.2 million federal contractors who deserve their lost wages. I implore my colleagues to pass it separately, so we can move forward with full faith from all federal workers.

“Now, we need to stop making partisan, unconstitutional threats about non-fact-based ‘emergencies,’ and instead govern together as Americans expect and deserve. Let’s raise the minimum wage together, robustly invest in updating our aging infrastructure together and take new strides to help those struggling with the disease of addiction together.”

The appropriations agreement included key provisions that will:

Raise Wages

Norcross has been fighting for higher wages for all Americans since he entered Congress. This bill will give a 1.9% pay raise to hardworking federal employees.

Rebuild America’s Infrastructure

Norcross is New Jersey’s only member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and fought for funding to modernize our infrastructure. Included in the bill is an increase of $69.4 million dollars for New Jersey’s highways and $31.8 million in funding that can be used for our transit systems.

Keeping Our Communities Safe

Congressman Norcross is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and works to keep our nation and neighborhoods safe and secure. The just-passed appropriations bill provides law enforcement with the tools they need by fully funding the Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program — at $303.5 million. Additionally, the Violence Against Women Act programs will receive $497.5 in new funding to strengthen services for victims and to hold offenders accountable.

Invest Homeland Security Dollars Where It Counts

While President Trump shut down the government over his call for a border wall, which he falsely promised Mexico would pay for, this bill provides funds for smart border security, such as over $121 million for new staffing and technology to enhance opioid and fentanyl detection and related investigations.