Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) voted in support of H.R. 3219 – the Make America Secure Appropriations Act of 2018. This important appropriations bill prioritizes funds for our troops, veterans and their families, U.S. Capitol Police, nuclear security, and our nation’s waterways infrastructure.
“This funding bill makes good on many priorities for our district and for our nation,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am pleased this legislation maintains the goals my colleagues and I on the House Armed Services Committee laid out in the National Defense Authorization Act by rebuilding the military, providing funding to house, train, and equip military personnel, providing housing and services to military families, and helping maintain base infrastructure.
“This legislation also makes good on my commitment to give our troops the largest pay raise in eight years, fully funds veterans’ benefits and programs, and provides needed support for veterans’ suicide prevention.
“I am also pleased this legislation included increased funding for programs that help combat invasive species – an important issue for our beautiful region.
“I will continue to fight for the needs of our district throughout the appropriations process.”
During debate on this legislation, Rep. Stefanik helped defeat an amendment that would have prohibited implementation of the Davis-Bacon Act.
Important priorities in this legislation include:
- Boosts military base funding for DoD 13 percent above FY17 enacted levels, or $68.1 Billion.
- Fully funds the authorized 2.4 percent troop pay raise—the largest in 8 years.
- This legislation provides funds for the construction and maintenance of facilities to enable our military to fight current and emerging threats, to support increased troop levels, and to sustain services for military families.
- Increases funding by 25 percent for the construction of military infrastructure ($10.2B total)
- Highest funding level ever for the VA ($78.3B, an increase of 5 percent above FY17).
- Includes an amendment Rep. Stefanik cosponsored to support funding for a DoD Cybersecurity scholarship program in order to help overcome the challenges of recruiting and retaining cyber security personnel.
- This legislation allocates additional funds that provide resources for important priorities within the VA, such as suicide prevention, claims processing, homeless prevention and care, opioid addiction, and medical research.
- Increased funding for Army Corps of Engineers environmental infrastructure projects
- Increased funding for Army Corps of Engineers Aquatic Nuisance Control Research Program
- Increased funding for Aquatic Plant Control Research Program
- Allows the EPA and Secretary of the Army to withdraw from the flawed WOTUS rule
- Allows lawful possession of a firearm on Army Corps of Engineers Water Resources Development Projects
- Over $1.1 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs
- Provides an additional $100 million for Army Corps of Engineers flood control construction
- $6.5 million for Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve
For a summary of the legislation, click here.
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