H.R. 5371 – Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026; H. Res. 719 – Honoring the life and legacy of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk

Committee on Rules

2025-09-16

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Rules Committee convened to discuss two primary measures: a continuing resolution (CR) for government funding and H. Res. 719, honoring Charlie Kirk, an activist who died recently in an act of political violence [ 00:10:17-00:10:19 ] [ 01:40:28-01:40:44 ]

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. The continuing resolution generated significant debate between Republican and Democratic members, centering on its scope, bipartisanship, and the inclusion of critical policy items [ 00:10:22-00:11:02 ] . The discussion on political violence, however, saw a more unified front, with members expressing condolences and a shared commitment to addressing threats to public officials [ 01:43:07-01:43:27 ]

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Themes

Continuing Resolution and Government Funding

Republicans advocated for the proposed continuing resolution, emphasizing its role in keeping the government open and allowing the regular appropriations process to continue [ 00:10:22-00:10:48 ] . Chairman Joe Neguse described the bill as a "clean CR" that fully funds government operations, military, and veteran services at current levels, noting that these levels were initially set under President Biden [ 00:32:20-00:32:43 ]

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. He argued that shutting down the government would not solve any problems and that the CR's short duration was a compromise, responding to Democratic preferences over the administration's request for a longer extension . Republicans also highlighted increased security funding for all three branches of government within the CR [ 00:33:10 ]

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. Some Republicans suggested that Democrats would intentionally vote against the CR to cause a shutdown and blame the current administration .

Conversely, Democrats strongly opposed the CR, calling it partisan and asserting that it failed to address critical issues like healthcare and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) . Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro stated the bill neglected to include an additional $600 million for WIC, despite a request from the Trump administration, which could jeopardize benefits for eligible participants . She highlighted a "five-alarm fire" healthcare crisis, citing potential premium hikes for 24 million Americans and significant cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) impacting 15 million people . Furthermore, Democrats accused the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vogt of unlawfully withholding over $410 billion in congressionally appropriated funds, impacting various sectors from agriculture to health research . They criticized the CR for not including provisions to prevent such impoundments and expressed deep frustration over the perceived undermining of the congressional appropriations power [ 01:10:47-01:10:49 ]

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Political Violence and Member Security

The committee considered H. Res. 719, a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, who was killed in an act of political violence [ 01:40:28-01:40:44 ]

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. Representative Anna Luna, who introduced the resolution, highlighted Kirk's advocacy for "God-given freedoms" and his commitment to civil dialogue [ 00:11:33-00:11:57 ] [ 01:41:41 ]

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. The resolution calls for all Americans to reject political violence and foster respectful debate . Luna also proposed an amendment to provide $250,000 for each House and Senate member's Member Representational Allowance (MRA) account to enhance personal security, citing the rise in threats and previous incidents of violence against elected officials . This amendment sparked a debate, with some members expressing concern about the additional cost and whether the MRA was the appropriate mechanism for such funding, given the national debt . Other members, while acknowledging the severe threats faced, agreed that member security was a serious and urgent issue that needed to be addressed .

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely contentious and partisan during the discussion of the continuing resolution . Both Republican and Democratic members engaged in sharp criticisms and accusations regarding political motives and failures to compromise . Democrats, in particular, conveyed an urgent and alarmed tone when discussing the potential healthcare crisis . However, the discussion shifted to a somber and unified tone during the consideration of H. Res. 719, with members from both sides expressing condolences for Charlie Kirk's death and a shared concern about the rising tide of political violence [ 01:43:07-01:43:27 ]

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. There was also a palpable sense of frustration among some members, particularly from Democrats, regarding the current state of the appropriations process and the executive branch's alleged impoundment of funds .

Participants

Transcript

Thank you.   Good afternoon.  The committee will come to order.  Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recess at any time.  Today, the Rules Committee is convening to consider two separate measures, a continuing resolution related to government funding and H. Res.  719, a resolution honoring the life and memory of Charlie Kirk.  On the continuing resolution, Congress can and should act   expeditiously and on a bipartisan basis to advance this measure.  We must keep our work going in service to the American people.  Just last week, the House voted to go to conference on three appropriations bills, a return to regular order.  This short term CR would allow those important negotiations to continue and hopefully result in a bipartisan resolution.   Our Democrat colleagues should find no reason to object to this measure because no reasonable objection exists.  I implore my colleagues, let's not use any policy focus, whether it be health care, tax policies, or even the security funding we're looking at as a pretext for a shutdown.  This legislation keeps the government open.  It's that simple.  On H. Res.  719, the resolution honoring the life and memory of Charlie Kirk,   I say this.  He spent his life advocating for the principles and God given freedoms that underpin civil society everywhere.
The world recognizes the positive, enduring impact he made and how his work continues to inspire countless men and women to debate the issues of the day.  He did this all with an eye toward creating and nurturing an open exchange of ideas among people from all walks of life.   in glorifying God every step of the way.  Fostering civil dialogue like what Charlie Kirk did day in and day out serves to unite us all.  We should never forget that.  Honoring his life is the right thing to do, and I fully intend to support this measure.   I hope our colleagues on both sides of the aisle do the same.  With that, I now yield to the ranking member, Mr. McGovern, for any comments that he wishes to make.
Well, thank you, Madam Chair.  And let's be crystal clear.  Republicans have three choices.  One, work with us on a bipartisan bill so millions of Americans don't lose health insurance.  Two, do what Donald Trump said, pass the CR yourselves.  You control government, after all.   Or three, Republicans can shut it all down.  Because make no mistake, the health care of millions is on the line.  If Republicans let these tax credits lapse, nearly 24 million Americans will see premiums skyrocket, up 93 percent on average, 93 percent.  A 60-year-old couple making $80,000 a year, they'll pay over $70,000 more.  That's over $1,400 every single month.   A family of four making $64,000, that's an extra $2,600 a year.  This isn't a warning light.  This is a five-alarm fire.  And Republicans are pretending that it doesn't exist.  The American people are already facing a cost of a living crisis, fueled by Donald Trump and Republicans' reckless policies.  The Trump tariffs and the Big Ugly Bill have raised the cost of everything, from housing to utilities, and nowhere has the impact been more serious   than for America's health care.  Their Big Ugly Bill was the single largest cut to health care in American history, kicking 15 million people off coverage, closing hospitals and nursing homes, blocking preventative care, and yanking food benefits away from struggling families.  Meanwhile, Donald Trump has taken an ax to the NIH, shutting down cancer research, halting clinical trials,   The withholding of funding for lifesaving medical research and the evisceration of common sense vaccines programs is making Americans sicker.  It's a full-fledged assault on working families, hospitals, patients, science, and driving up costs for everyone else.  And here's the kicker this morning.

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