Press Releases

U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today issued a statement regarding her NO vote on the “minibus” appropriations bill, which would fund certain federal agencies in the next fiscal year. House leadership politicized the bill by adding a last-minute provision assigning $1.6 billion to construct a border wall.

“House Republicans contaminated today’s defense appropriations bill by inserting funds for President Trump’s border wall, once again politicizing our national security. While I would have supported a clean defense bill—especially since I helped write and pass its authorization as a member of the House Armed Services Committee—I cannot fund the President’s ill-conceived wall at the expense of my state. This funding would have been better spent to secure Florida’s air and sea ports and to expand UASI, the underfunded DHS counter-terrorism program that currently excludes Orlando. Additionally, the bill rolls back key clean-water protections and cuts critical renewable energy funds, both of which threaten Florida’s economic way of life,” said Murphy.

Prior to the vote, Murphy delivered a speech on the House floor urging Republican leadership to pull the border wall provision from the bill. In her remarks, she stated the funding should be used to give the American people real security, not politically-motivated gimmicks.

To see Murphy’s speech opposing border wall funding in the minibus bill, click here.

###

U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida. Previously, Murphy was a businesswoman and college instructor who also served as a national security specialist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she received numerous awards for her distinguished service, including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Murphy lives in Winter Park with her husband and two children.