NASHVILLE — U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Southeast Tennessee, on Tuesday was one of a few Chattanooga-area lawmakers to support a two-step, stop-gap bill to avert a federal government shutdown.
No one dislikes continuing resolutions more than Appropriations Committee members, the Ooltewah lawmaker said in a House floor speech Tuesday.
But as chair "of the Energy and Water Subcommittee, I know the importance of enacting full-year bills," he added.
Full fiscal-year bills address issues like nuclear weapons modernization programs at the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood and storm damage reduction projects, Fleischmann said.
"House Republicans all agree we need to get the federal government on a more fiscally responsible path. But lengthy government shutdowns don't save money," Fleischmann said.
(READ MORE: Fleischmann one of 2 Tennessee GOP reps to support spending bill)
Also voting for the measure were U.S. Reps. David Kustoff, R-Tenn., and Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga.
Those voting no included U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Northwest Georgia, Scott DesJarlais, R-Sherwood, and Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville.
"Continuing to fund our government at its current levels will only send our economy deeper into crisis," Burchett said in a statement. "I couldn't vote for this bill in good conscience, but I will continue to support Speaker (Mike) Johnson's efforts to pass clean single-subject spending bills that address our nation's awful fiscal situation."
(READ MORE: Burchett claims McCarthy mocked him for praying over move to oust the speaker)
The Senate is expected to act next on the stop-gap measure.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-285-9480.