Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 8294, which includes six partisan FY 2023 Appropriations bills for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Energy and Water Development; Financial Services and General Government; Interior and Environment; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Garcia voted against this legislation.

“This bill contains unnecessary sky-high federal funding in every arena. Increasing irresponsible government spending at this rate will only lengthen this catastrophic inflationary period,” said Garcia. “It’s time for Congress to get serious on how we’re going to stop the current inflationary period that’s causing pain at the grocery store, at the pump, and in nearly every aspect of American life. The average spending increase of this bill is 12.5%, well above the current inflation rate of 9.1%, which would only further aggravate inflation and do more harm.”

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Garcia remained active in committee markups, voicing his support for amendments that would benefit Americans while properly appropriating taxpayer dollars. 

Garcia offered several amendments during Appropriations markups, such as raising military base pay, reinstating the “China Initiative,” and putting an end to CA high-speed rail federal funding. Unfortunately, the Democrat majority shot down these amendments and they were not included in the final bill voted on today.