By Message Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a vote Feb. 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide full funding for the military and community health centers, several members of Louisiana’s delegation to Congress released statements urging members of the Senate to pass the bill.
“Our Armed Services and community health centers need and deserve certainty, regardless of the political climate in Washington,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Bossier City, in a statement e-mailed to the Baptist Message. “Unfortunately, some Democrats have attempted to use the men and women of our military and vulnerable Americans as bargaining chips in their efforts to secure amnesty for illegal immigrants. Tonight, House Republicans passed legislation to fully fund our defense programs and community health centers. Now, we call on Senate Democrats to put aside their own political agendas and pass this critical measure.”
U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, who also is a physician, weighed in on the issue through his Facebook page.
“The House has voted to fund our military, give pay raises to our troops, fund community health centers and prevent a government shutdown,” said Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church. “Senate Democrats need to stop playing political games and pass this bill. Our national security is at stake.”
Louisiana’s two members of the U.S. Senate – John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy – joined 65 of their colleagues as they signed onto a bipartisan letter urging Senate leadership to reauthorize funding for community health centers.
“Millions of people across the country rely on community health centers to provide quality health care for individuals and families,” Kennedy said in a statement on his website. “These centers provide comprehensive medical services without courting controversy like Planned Parenthood does. Community health centers are vital to Louisiana families. It is imperative that a two-year extension of funding for these centers be included in the government funding bill.”
