WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement announcing his intent to oppose the government funding bill passed by House Republicans yesterday:
“For nearly two months, President Trump and Elon Musk have been shutting down our government piecemeal, illegally shuttering programs, agencies, and now attempting to close entire departments. I do not want to shut down our government, I want to improve it, streamline it and ensure it delivers services our communities need. That’s why I oppose the continuing resolution passed by House Republicans last night.
“The House Republican bill enables Trump’s and Musk’s devastating and unconstitutional cuts that have reduced our government’s ability to protect public health and safety, made it harder for seniors to get their Social Security checks, and created an opening for China by dismantling our foreign aid partnerships. The bill also eliminates over $100 million for my state that would help build affordable housing, grow small businesses, and strengthen health and education. It even prevents congressional oversight of Trump’s disastrous tariffs.
“As the lead Senate Democrat in charge of defense spending, I will not stand by and help Republicans pass a bill that cuts defense spending by billions of dollars. Secretary Hegseth prevented our military leaders from speaking up about these cuts, but they are real and measurable. The topline increase Republicans are touting is a budgetary sleight of hand. At a time when Trump is actively making our world less safe, we should not be cutting defense spending, reducing our military readiness, and making ourselves less prepared to face the threats of the future.
“I urge my Senate colleagues to vote against this bill. Instead, we should pass a short-term funding extension that allows us to finish the appropriations process and includes measures that defend our constitutionally mandated appropriations power from executive overreach.”
Senator Coons is the Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
As part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, congressional Republicans agreed to fund defense spending at $895 billion for FY25. The House Republican continuing resolution funds defense spending at $892 billion, a cut of $3 billion. Additionally, the House continuing resolution also diverts $8 billion intended for the entire Defense Department to fund continued operations in the Middle East.