Press Release

Today, Rep. Ami Bera voted for the appropriations bill to fund the federal government and prevent another government shutdown. Rep. Bera made the following comment:

"Today's bill was far from perfect, but in the end I voted to keep the government open and to fund measures that are vital to Sacramento County families. Among its many provisions, the bill allows us to continue improvements at the Folsom Dam that will keep residents safe and put Sacramento County to work, provides aid to California families, small business and farmers being hurt by the historic drought, and makes much-needed investments at the Department Veterans Affairs to help address the shameful VA wait times our heroes have faced. I am, however, extremely troubled by some of the destructive special interest provisions that have nothing to do with funding the government that were added to today's bill, including ones that weakened protections against Wall Street's risky behavior, and expanded the influence of big money in elections. These kinds of underhanded political maneuvers are reprehensible and exactly what's wrong with Washington. We should be working to protect consumers and to take money out of politics and I will continue to fight against special interests to do that."

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He's fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country's debt in a responsible way. One of Bera's first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don't pass a budget, they don't get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, he's working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nation's challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow@RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov