Elfreth Votes No on Republicans’ Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) voted against House Republicans’ seven-week government funding bill. Elfreth instead supports House and Senate Democrats’ funding bill which would place checks on the President’s powers and address our nation’s health care crisis. 

“Our country is on the precipice of a health care crisis. House Democrats have made clear for weeks that we are ready to negotiate a bipartisan continuing resolution that helps working people, lowers costs, and protects Americans’ health care,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “But instead of engaging in good-faith negotiations, Republicans who control the House, Senate, and the Executive Branch have pushed forward a partisan funding bill that will place no checks on the President’s powers and will continue to rip away health care from Marylanders. I voted no.”

More than 190,000 Marylanders are paying less for their health coverage thanks to these enhanced tax credits – 23,000 of whom live in Maryland’s Third District. These tax credits are set to expire, and the Republican government funding bill does nothing to continue this critical program. If Congress does not act to extend these tax credits by the end of 2025, beneficiaries will see their yearly premiums increase by an average of $900 for the same coverage.

House Democrats’ proposal addresses the health care crisis that President Trump and Republican lawmakers have created by:

• Reversing the catastrophic health care cuts Republicans enacted in the Big Ugly Law, which are set to kick 15 million Americans off their health care and decimate Medicaid.
• Permanently extending enhanced tax credits that lower monthly health insurance premiums for millions of American families. 
• House Republicans' funding proposal does nothing to address this looming health care crisis that will raise Americans' costs.

House Democrats’ proposal protects Congress's power of the purse and prevents President Trump from stealing from communities.

• Extends the availability of funds that have been improperly frozen by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and would otherwise expire on September 30, including amounts in President Trump's illegal "pocket rescission" and lifesaving NIH research funding.
• Prevents Republicans from unilaterally rescinding or reneging on any bipartisan funding agreements passed by Congress for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. Restores funding for public radio and TV stations Republicans cut.
• Establishes an inspector general for OMB.
• Prohibits the White House from implementing program reductions or eliminations requested in the President's fiscal year 2026 budget during the continuing resolution.
• Reverses illegal actions by the White House that resulted in $2.9 billion in emergency fiscal year 2025 funding not being spent.
• The House Republican continuing resolution does not include any of these safeguards.

House Democrats’ proposal strengthens security measures for government officials.

• The Democratic bill provides $30 million for member security to fund mutual aid agreements— which help cover security costs incurred by state and local police departments when protecting members and congressionally sponsored events—$90 million for House enhanced member security programs, and $66.5 million for the Senate Sergeant at Arms.
• To respond to threats of violence against judges and federal officials, the Democratic bill includes $140 million for the Supreme Court, federal courts, and U.S. Marshals.

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