Support a Clean, Short-Term Continuing Resolution

Recipient: U.S. Senate

View the PDF of this letter here.

Dear Senator:

On behalf of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States, we write to express support for the passage of a clean, short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to allow the federal government to continue operating until final appropriations legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2017 are determined and enacted. Specifically, we support a Continuing Resolution that is free of ideological policy riders and that extends only until December 2016. To delay FY 2017 funding beyond that point would be a dereliction of Congress’ constitutional duties.

A Continuing Resolution should be thought of as short-term, temporary solution meant to give Congress adequate time to make decisions about new spending legislation. A CR of longer duration would be detrimental to the overall functioning of the government, leaving grantees and contractors with unclear direction. A short-term CR will give these programs the funds they need to continue their work through the end of the calendar year, while allowing Congress the time to negotiate an omnibus bill that will fund the federal government to September 30, 2017.

In addition to supporting only a short-term CR, The Leadership Conference remains committed to the passage of spending bills that are free from ideological policy riders. Areas are of concern include funding to combat the Zika virus and blocking the admission of refugees to the United States from countries in the Middle East.

In addition, relief for Flint, Michigan should not be any further delayed. The short-term CR should include funding for Flint. Our communities there have suffered enough, and need federal assistance. 

Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Chatterjee, Senior Counsel, at (202) 466-3648.

Sincerely,

Wade Henderson
President & CEO

Nancy Zirkin
Executive Vice President