House Appropriations Committee applauds Republican priorities included in government-funding package

Republican leaders on the House Appropriations Committee praised last week’s passage of a landmark appropriations package to fund government operations for fiscal year 2018, legislation that U.S. Reps. Martha Roby (R-AL), Evan Jenkins (R-WV) and Steve Womack (R-AR) noted funds conservative priorities and key federal programs.

“This package sets responsible funding levels and includes some big conservative wins,” Roby said, including eliminating regulations that hurt jobs and halting the expansion of the Affordable Care Act.

The Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, H.R. 3354, containing eight annual appropriations bills, was approved on Thursday by a vote of 211-198. That legislation, combined with another four-bill government appropriations package the House passed in July, was noteworthy. For the first time in almost 10 years the House finished work on all 12 appropriations bills before the end of the federal government’s fiscal year on Sept. 30.

“This funding invests in federal programs that have proven to keep Americans safe and successful and does so with Republican priorities and fiscal restraint meant to ensure our economy will grow,” Womack said. “My colleagues and I on appropriations have worked diligently to bring these final eight bills forward. I am proud to see this package voted out of our chamber.”

The $1.2 trillion package of appropriations bills includes increases in military spending and $1.6 billion in funding for constructing a wall along the U.S. southern border with Mexico.

“It is Congress’ responsibility to budget for national priorities, and securing the border is a top priority,” Roby said.

The government-funding legislation also cuts more than a half billion dollars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, it includes funding a landmark five-year highway bill that Jenkins said would reinvest in West Virginia’s infrastructure.

“We are sending the Senate legislation that funds key West Virginia priorities, including significant investments in our roads and infrastructure,” said Jenkins. “I also fought to cut nearly half a billion from the EPA and its war on coal, all while standing with President Trump to build the border wall.”

Jenkins worked to incorporate other West Virginia priorities in the funding bill as well, including the continuation of a pilot program to speed up the reclamation of abandoned mine lands. The package also would continue to provide funding for black lung clinics and substance abuse treatment, he said.

Roby noted that the legislation’s focus on national defense would benefit Alabama.

“Given Alabama’s significant military footprint, I am particularly pleased that our appropriations bill fully funds national defense and contains important funding for the missions at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and Fort Rucker,” she said.