Today, Congressman John Carter (TX-31) released the following statement after the House passed the FY 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act, providing much-needed longer-term funding for our Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, and border security infrastructure.

“This legislation is a culmination of months of work in the House, including completion of all twelve appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year and consideration of 232 amendments on the House floor. Ideally, the Senate would have done the same work, and we could’ve considered each appropriations bill separately. However, the FY18 Omnibus is an important bill to rebuild our military, improve homeland security efforts, and provide necessary funds to our law enforcement agencies.

“The FY 2018 funding bill fulfills Congress’ constitutional duty to appropriate funds to keep the government open and provide for the common defense. This legislation is critical to Ft. Hood in my district, as it provides the largest investment in our Armed Forces in over 15 years and includes a 2.4% pay raise for our troops, which will help our military families make ends meet.

“The FY18 Omnibus is a giant leap forward in rebuilding our military after years of damage done under the previous Administration, and by providing our warfighters the resources they need to be successful on the battlefield, we increase the chances that they return home safely.

“This bill also makes critical investments to provide for law enforcement programs that better our communities. Under this bill, important programs like Violence Against Women and Sexual Assault Kit Testing will receive an increase in funding, as well as programs to combat opioid abuse.”

Bill Highlights:

• Maintains all provisions to protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
• Funds Career and Technical Education at $1.2 billion, providing opportunities for students to pursue exciting careers in the trades.
• Includes $10 Million to support first responders in combating active shooter threats and directs the Department of Justice to focus on School Resource Officers within grant awards.  
• Provides over $4 billion in critical funding for Congressman Carter’s top defense priority of modernizing our armored vehicles to make them safer and more effective for our brave Fort Hood soldiers.
• Rebuilds aging infrastructure by investing an additional $21.2 billion for transportation, energy and water projects across the nation.
• Targets $2.3 billion in new funding to school safety programs that will improve mental health and training efforts for law enforcement, students and staff.
• Includes $1.6 billion for physical border security infrastructure and technology along the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Eliminates wasteful or duplicative programs and strengthens oversight efforts to ensure every hard-earned tax dollar is spent efficiently.
• Maintains existing pro-life provisions.

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.

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