Congresswoman Sarah Elfett warns yearlong CR would cut services; files bipartisan bill to protect probationary federal employees

Congresswoman Sarah Elfett told the Howard County House Delegation on March 12 that she voted against a yearlong continuing resolution passed by the U.S. House, saying it gives executive branch officials unprecedented latitude to reallocate funds and contains cuts that would affect her district.

"I voted no last night," Elfett said, calling the measure an unprecedented continuing resolution that, in her view, amounts to a "blank check" for the executive branch and undercuts congressional oversight.

Elfett said the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) includes cuts to programs she identified as priorities for her district and the state, including housing assistance for low- and moderate-income households, reductions that she said would affect about 32,000 people; a cut she described as a roughly $15,000,000,000 reduction in veterans-related health funding; and major…