Today, with the support of Rep. John R. Carter (R-TX-31), the House passed a funding bill to continue government operations through September 2017. This bill provides for increased national security and military readiness, strengthens border security, and bolsters our law enforcement programs.

“Today the House moved a step closer to providing the resources our nation needs to ensure our national security, and defend our border,” said Rep. Carter. “The past Administration launched an all out assault on our military readiness and border security. While I don’t expect we can recover in one spending bill, I do expect to continue along this trend to increase our defense spending, that will provide for the men and women of our military and their families, and deliver the tools they need to be successful in their mission. I also expect to see continued increases in funding for the men and women that patrol and protect our communities, including our nation’s borders. In all, this bill provides increases in funding where our priorities should be focused, keeping America safe and secure.”

“I have long been an ardent supporter of the our military and their families, and this bill includes numerous priorities I specifically requested on behalf of Central Texas. Among these are priorities at Fort Hood, including funding for an increase in troops, ground combat vehicle modernizations, remanufactured and new Apache helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-ballistic missile systems. This legislation also supports the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program as well as the Impact Aid program, which directly affects the schools that educate the children of our warriors.”

“Today we passedthe largest increase to border security technologies and infrastructure improvements in nearly a decade. This bill will help to deter illegal immigration, expedite deportation of criminal aliens, and provide the facilities necessary to end catch and release practices. The bill also increases funding for federal prisoner detention, including criminal aliens and offenders awaiting trial, and provides for 10 additional immigration judge teams to quickly process immigration reviews.”

“Other priorities for Central Texans I fought to include in this bill include funds for life-saving training for our first responders, protections of Texans’ Second Amendment Rights, support for state control over state waters, and limits on the IRS’ abusive practices.”

Bill Highlights:

This bill increases defense funding by $20 billion, providing for more than 2.1 million active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve troops. It includes an increase of $9.4 billion for key readiness programs, $3.7 billion for research and development, and $4.7 billion for equipment procurement and upgrades. This bill funds a 2.1 percent pay raise for the military.

Homeland Security funding is increased by $1.45 billion, providing for more Border Patrol Agents and more than 39,000 detention beds (an increase of 5,000) to end the practice of catch and release. This bill also includes increased funding for infrastructure improvements, technology, and cybersecurity. This funding will allow for upgrades to 40 miles of fencing, construction of 26 miles of new road, and improvements to 758 miles of existing roads..

The funding bill also provides funding for training grants for our local law enforcement and first responders.  Additionally, it ensures funding for Rep. Carter’s POLICE Act, which was signed into law in July 2016, and provides life-saving active shooter training for first responders.

Additionally, this bill provides no new funding for Obamacare, prevents a taxpayer-funded bailout of insurance companies, and eliminates funding for the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

The Fiscal Year 2017 funding bill awaits approval in the U.S. Senate.  Once it passes both chambers of Congress, it will require President Trump’s signature to become law.

For more information on H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394862

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

###