(MURFREESBORO, TN) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) voted no on the House Agriculture Committee’s passage of S. Con. Res. 14, the budget reconciliation bill for Fiscal Year 2022. 

Democratic leadership pushed lawmakers to hold a hearing on S. Con. Res. 14 less than 24 hours after receiving the bill text.

In Congressman DesJarlais’ opening statement on Friday, September 10, 2021, he expressed disdain for Democrats’ handling of the writing of the $66 BILLION bill with plans to add an additional $28 BILLION. 

“Unfortunately, the reconciliation process has been anything but thoughtful or collaborative. There has been no stakeholder involvement or discourse with constituents on this tremendous amount of money included in the bill—at a time when spending is truly out of control,” said the Tennessee congressman. 

DesJarlais offered Amendment 27 during Friday’s hearing that would cut overall spending in the bill by two-thirds.

“This is the fiscally responsible thing to do when leadership jams us with an expensive incomplete bill that had zero stakeholder involvement. It is shameful that this committee would pass this partisan legislation crafted behind closed doors in a rushed and irregular process and without an understanding of the payfors,” said Rep. DesJarlais.

Congressman DesJarlais noted that many of his constituents are worried about the potential negative economic impacts the bill carries.

“My constituents are terrified of potential tax implications the broader reconciliation package needed to pay for this monstrosity of a spending bill,” he said. 

After nine hours of debate, the hearing adjourned right before voting on the bill’s passage from the House Agriculture Committee. Lawmakers were brought back on Monday just to vote on the legislation. 

“It is shameful that the majority party gave less than 24 hours to read the bill before beginning markups in the committee hearing. Then right before it was time to vote we adjourned. Why? Most likely because the committee didn’t have enough votes from their own party. It’s a disgrace,” said Congressman DesJarlais.

The 2022 Budget Reconciliation bill passed the House Agriculture Committee and will now head to the House floor for a vote before final passage. 

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Video of Congressman Scott DesJarlais’ opening remarks can be found here.

Video of Congressman Scott DesJarlais speaking on Amendment 27 can be found here.

Video of the full Friday, September 10, 2021, House Agriculture Committee Hearing can be found here.

Video of the full Monday, September 13, 2021, House Agriculture Committee Hearing to vote on bill passage can be found here.