Washington, D.C. – Today, Congress voted on and passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill. Read Rep. Van Duyne's statement below:

"It's often been said you don't want to see sausage or legislation being made. Considering this new Omnibus spending package wasn't seen being made by nearly anyone in Congress, I can't attest to how ridiculous the backroom wrangling must have been. I can say this is a terrible and disgraceful way to run a nation.

For far too long, Congress has refused to do its work during the course of the year, responsibly debating and passing (or scrapping) budget items in the light of day for everyone to see. As a mayor and city councilwoman for the City of Irving, we openly debated, and made adjustments to numerous yearly budgets, all of which were balanced because we were legally bound to ensure we didn't spend money we didn't have. Perhaps I'm still 'too new' to Congress to believe we shouldn't pass gargantuan spending bills that few, if any, have read.

Without significant debate, bi-partisan agreement where possible, and time enough for the American people to provide their thoughts there's simply no sensible reason to vote for this giant new package of spending, policies, and Lord only knows what in terms of regulations or new big government powers."