The US House of Representatives has passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The bill is supposed to stop the US from defaulting on its debt but also provides funding for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, expands SNAP benefits, and expedites the permitting process for green energy. Cong. Darin LaHood voted against it. He says while he appreciates the hard work of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Republican negotiators for bringing Pres. Biden to the table, he can’t support the agreement because it allows for unlimited borrowing over the next two years and doesn’t take long-term steps to address the nation’s debt crisis. He says it’s clear in the 16th Congressional District that central and northwestern Illinois don’t want unlimited COVID-19 spending. The Peoria Republican says was proud to supported the Limit, Save, and Grow Act which would have responsibly raised the debt limit and reformed Washington D.C.’s spending addiction.
Cong. Lauren Underwood voted yes for the bill. She said at a town hall in LaSalle last week that the vague spending cuts that Republicans brought forward would include benefits for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during the war.
The Naperville Democrat says veterans’ benefits put in the Honoring our Pact Act, which allows more veterans to get access to healthcare, would be cut. Her town hall was held last Saturday at the LaSalle VFW Post 4668.