Ranking Member Jerry Lewis Issues Statement on B-1B Bomber Funding

Washington – Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement regarding Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’s failure to oppose cuts to the crucial B-1B bomber program:

“Rep. Herseth-Sandlin had ample opportunity to request funding for – and oppose cuts to – the B-1B bomber program in the Fiscal Year 2011 Defense Appropriations legislation which was approved by the Defense Subcommittee on July 27. In addition, Rep. Herseth-Sandlin and her House Democrat colleagues have failed to bring this critical Defense funding bill to a vote on the House floor – instead putting our troops on the back burner and punting this issue until a more politically convenient time after the election. In failing to bring this essential bill to a vote, Rep. Herseth-Sandlin and House Democrats have abdicated one of their most important duties as Members of Congress – providing for our national defense.

“This year alone, Chairman Obey and House Democrats have cut a total of $7 billion from the President’s request for our national defense to provide exorbitant levels of funding for their domestic spending priorities. These cuts to defense will likely go even deeper if Democrats finally take up the bill on the House Floor during the lame duck session.”