Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) issued the following statement after voting against the end of year omnibus package:

“I have made it clear from the beginning that until Harry Reid and Senate Democrats can pass a budget, we need to work off the spending levels set forth in the House-passed 2012 budget. The Path to Prosperity is a credible and commonsense proposal that would put our nation on the path to balanced budgets and debt reduction.

“Unfortunately, the spending levels set forth in today’s omnibus package exceed those in the Path to Prosperity and therefore I could not vote in favor of it.

“It is impossible to get our nation’s fiscal house in order unless we have a budget framework to work from. House Republicans have done their job and passed a budget, it is now time for Senate Democrats to do the same.

“My constituents sent me to Washington to make the difficult spending decisions, and I’m more than willing to make them. Continuing Resolutions and omnibus packages are not the sort of bold action that the people in Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District expect. I will continue to fight for long-term solutions to rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending.”