Source: US Rep. David Rouzer (NC-7th), 12/18/15


Dear Friends,
The national security threats to our homeland increase by the day.  The biggest danger we face right now is radical Islamic extremists working to enter our country and cause us harm.  I supported the omnibus bill because it not only increases defense funding to provide our military with the necessary resources to keep us safe from harm, but it also closes dangerous loopholes within our visa system that will help prevent terrorists from entering our country.

Bottom line: Key provisions in this omnibus bill are critical to providing our men and women in uniform with much-needed funding to win the fight against terrorism.
This year, the US Treasury is projected to bring in $3.5 trillion total in revenue.  The omnibus bill is expected to account for about $1.1 trillion known as discretionary spending with more than half of it dedicated to providing for our national defense, military and border security.  Like you, I am concerned about increased government spending; however, the driving force behind our annual deficits and aggregate debt are mandatory spending programs, which are anticipated to cost $2.8 trillion this year.  In other words, discretionary spending (the Omnibus) accounts for about 30 percent of the budget and mandatory spending plus interest on the debt accounts for almost 70 percent of the total federal budget.  

That’s not to say that I agree with all the provisions in the Omnibus — absolutely not.  There are many discretionary spending programs I would like to cut from government completely.  However, all things have to be considered when casting a vote.  In addition to providing a significant shot in the arm to enhance our military readiness, there are significant policy riders that are major conservative wins including: 
• Preventing the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to American soil; 
• Lifting the crude oil export ban which will strengthen our national security interests making us a major player in the oil market much to the dismay of Putin and the other thugs of the world while adding as much as $170 billion annually to our national gross domestic product (GDP); 
• Securing stability for our farmers through regulatory relief and other helpful measures; 
• Blocking the EPA’s overreach by withholding funding for new or expanded programs, putting its appropriations at 2008 levels and its staffing at 1989 levels; 
• Preventing the IRS from discriminating against and unfairly targeting non-profit conservative groups;

• Prohibiting taxpayer dollars to fund abortions; and, 
• Prohibiting gene editing of human embryos and prohibiting funds for creating embryos for research and destroying embryos .

This omnibus accomplishes what I believe is our nation’s top priority – to make sure our military has the necessary funding to win the war on terrorism.  Our country’s economic well-being and national security deserve no less.