WASHINGTON, D.C.–While Mississippi’s senators said Wednesday that they approved of the temporary measure to fund the government until Dec. 11 as a time for more debate on the federal budget, Mississippi’s representatives had a different take on the bill.
Cong. Steven Palazzo said the Republican delegation did not vote for the temporary measure for a number of reasons.
“We have to use every tool in our toolbox to exercise the separation of powers and it wasn’t just Planned Parenthood,” said Palazzo, who was a guest on the JT Show Thursday. “But it’s also the Iranian nuclear agreement. It’s also the fight to defund ObamaCare.”
The bill that temporarily funds the government that passed did not include language to take federal money away from Planned Parenthood. A bill that was introduced by Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was reworked to take that language out, so the Senate could avoid a government shutdown.
PALAZZO INTERVIEW
Palazzo, Rep. Gregg Harper (R) and Rep. Trent Kelly (R) all voted against the Senate bill.
“I think the Mississippi delegation did exactly what their constituents wanted them to do.”
Palazzo also said he feels the budget process has been compromised over the years and has leaned too much in favor of the president wants, rather than what Congress thinks is necessary.
“We have to send a message to the Senate and the administration.”
Palazzo did vote to support the National Defense Authorization Act Thursday.
“Our number one job in Congress is to provide for the common defense of this nation. Our men and women in uniform are the best in the world at what they do. The world is not becoming a safer place. In fact, it’s becoming much more dangerous. In order to maintain a strong national defense, we must continue to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to do their job.
“Protecting our military assets in South Mississippi has also remained one of my top priorities in Congress. Despite great efforts from many outsiders, we were once again victorious in stripping an amendment from this bill that sought to remove C-130s from Keesler. This bill also included my language to delay the transfer of Apache attack helicopters from the Army National Guard in Tupelo.”
Specifically, this year’s NDAA authorizes $515 billion in spending for national defense and additional $89.2 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). It also Requires DOD to submit a strategy to counter threats posed by Iran and provides a retirement plan to 83% of service men and women currently not eligible through a Thrift Savings Plan.
