Rep. Mike Levin’s Statement on Passage of the Republican Continuing Resolution
Washington, D.C.- Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the Republican Fiscal Year 2025 government funding bill, known as the Continuing Resolution.
“I am deeply disappointed by the passage of the partisan Republican bill that funds the government for six months while allowing vital programs to be gutted.
“I am incredibly proud of House Democrats for standing together against this bill. We refused to accept devastating cuts to our communities, and we made clear that there was a responsible path forward.
“No one wanted a government shutdown, and we had a viable alternative on the table: a 30-day clean bill that would have kept the government open while we could engage in bipartisan negotiations. But instead of working across the aisle, Republicans forced through a bill that hands Donald Trump and Elon Musk a blank check to slash critical services, all while failing to include a single dollar for wildfire relief in Los Angeles or community project funding that could help families and small businesses.
“It is important to understand why this is happening. Billionaire donors like Elon Musk want another tax cut, and this is the first step—gut the programs people rely on, claim the government can’t afford them, and then hand the savings to the wealthiest few. Meanwhile, this bill does nothing to address the debt or deficit. It’s not about fiscal responsibility; it’s about shifting resources away from working people and into the pockets of the ultra-rich.
“This is not just numbers on a page—it’s real people who will suffer. It’s the veteran who will wait longer for care because tens of thousands of VA workers will be cut. It’s the senior who will struggle to access their Social Security benefits as customer-serving offices lose staff or close altogether. It’s the child falling further behind because of deep cuts to the Department of Education. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s DOGE operation is being handed more unchecked power, making it easier for them to dismantle entire federal agencies under the guise of budget cuts, with zero accountability.
“Even before this bill passed, the White House was already planning to impound federal funds, openly defying the Impoundment Control Act to slash spending even further. This isn’t just about budgets—it’s about whether Congress still controls the power of the purse or if we’re letting Trump and Musk run the government however they please.
“I am profoundly disappointed that Senate Democratic leadership caved instead of holding the line. But I want to thank California’s Senators, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, for standing strong and doing what was right. This fight is far from over. I will continue to do everything in my power, every single day, to protect our community, hold this administration accountable, and stop the extreme, unchecked power grab happening before our eyes.”
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