Davids Statement After Voting Against Partisan Budget That Fails to Lower Costs for Families
Bill Does Not Block Taxpayer-Funded Ballrooms or Slush Fund for Presidential Allies
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after voting against a partisan budget bill that uses taxpayer dollars for controversial immigration enforcement instead of lowering costs for hardworking families.
“Kansans are struggling to afford gas, groceries, and rent. Instead of focusing on lowering those costs, Republicans in Congress are once again putting their party’s leaders over hardworking families.
“Yes, our immigration system is broken. But we don’t fix it with partisan bills that lack oversight. We fix it by coming together on bipartisan solutions that secure the border, address the fentanyl crisis, and treat families and children with dignity and due process.
“This is exactly why so many Kansans feel like Washington isn’t working for them — because what they see as Congress’ priorities don’t match their own. As always, I’m ready to work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, on real solutions that bring down costs for Kansas families. It’s not always easy, but it’s always possible.”
Background
Today’s bill comes from a budget process known as reconciliation, which allows certain legislation to move through Congress on a simple majority vote and is often used for partisan priorities instead of bipartisan compromise.
Congressional Republicans could have used this bill to lower costs for families — the number one issue facing Americans right now — block the proposed "Anti-Weaponization Fund" for the president’s political allies and January 6 defendants, and prevent taxpayer dollars from being spent on ballrooms. Instead, they used it to advance partisan immigration priorities.
Last year’s partisan budget, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, already allocated $170 billion over four years for border enforcement. That is more than the yearly budget for all U.S. local and state law enforcement agencies combined. The largest percentage of that funding has gone to finding, detaining, and deporting immigrants already living in the U.S., most of whom have not committed a crime and many of whom have had lawful status.