Collins Supports Appropriations Plan to Elevate Conservative Priorities

WASHINGTON—Congressman Doug Collins (R-Gainesville) has voiced his support for a plan that would allow Republicans to move 12 individual bills through the committee process before August and elevate conservative priorities in the budget for FY 2018.

Introduced by Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger), the approach to funding the government emphasizes regular order and efficiency in the budget process leading up to the start of the fiscal year on October 1. Once Members of the House have marked up the individual bills, these would be brought to the floor as a package that the House could vote on before August recess, giving the Senate and House a chance to reach a funding agreement before September 30.

This plan also allows the House to pass the legislation with the Republican majority, meaning that conservatives could include priorities like funding the president’s border wall without being hamstrung by resistance from across the aisle.

“This plan is ambitious, and we know that. Conservatives have a responsibility to fund the government wisely, and the Constitution tells us that that process starts in the House. We have the ability to send a commonsense budget to the Senate ahead of the deadline, and I hope to see my colleagues take advantage of this opportunity,” said Collins.

Collins, Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, commended this plan to fellow Republicans at a recent Conference meeting, and it has gained support among appropriators and other Representatives.