Washington, DC (December 8, 2016) The House of Representatives voted today on a short-term budget known as a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will fund the government through April 2017. Congressman Pearce issued the following statement in response to the vote:

"New Mexico has one of the largest federal footprints in the United States," said Pearce. "From the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad to our military installations to Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs - New Mexico houses some of the nation's most important national security missions. Today, the House failed to give these missions, and the thousands of New Mexican families who depend on them, the budget certainty they need and deserve.

"It is truly unfortunate that the bill brought before the House today did not fund the government through the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2017), as it does include policies and priorities that I strongly support. Whether supporting our troops, adding funding for new roads, or fully funding community development grants - this bill strives to make the improvements our nation needs. Yet, it utterly fails the people of New Mexico and the nation in practice. Providing funding without certainty does nothing to bring confidence to the Federal employees working on national security projects or on new cures for rare diseases - nor does it encourage contractors to bid on long-term federal contracts for road or facility maintenance. As I have said before, short-term budgeting is no way to run a family or a business. And it is certainly no way to run a nation.

"Looking forward to the 115th Congress and the start of the Trump Administration, I truly hope Congress can work with the new Administration to fund the government through regular order - providing our State and nation with the certainty it needs to be successful. We have significant work to do setting our State and national economies back on the right track, and this work begins with long-term budget certainty," continued Pearce.