WASHINGTON—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) today released this statement on the passage of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act:
“With these critical funding bills, the House is taking action to make government work more effectively for communities. This Interior and Environment Appropriations bill provides vital resources to firefighters battling wildfires throughout the West. It empowers local governments to provide services in their communities and it reins in needless regulation, including fully repealing the harmful Obama-era Waters of the United States Rule. Our natural resources and federal lands are part of America’s unique heritage, and this funding will help continue their preservation.
“The Financial Services Appropriations bill provides much-needed funding. It continues Congress’s relentless efforts against the opioid epidemic by providing funding for the Office of National Drug Policy. It puts resources in the hands of law enforcement so they can continue keeping our communities safe and cracks down on terror financing globally. And it promotes business formation and economic growth by funding loan programs for small businesses and programs for veterans and women entrepreneurs. With these bills, the House is continuing its work to carry out responsible funding while maintaining accountability to the American taxpayer.”
Additional information on these bills is available here, here, and below:
- They maintain the overall funding levels from fiscal year 2018—a total of $23.4 billion for Financial Services and $35.3 billion for Interior and Environment.
- The Financial Services Appropriations bill promotes long-term fiscal responsibility, setting aside $585 million for a new Fund for America’s Kids and Grandkids, which can only be spent when there is no longer a budget deficit.
- This bill also makes important financial services industry reforms to promote transparency and accountability, including bringing the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection into the appropriations process.
- The Interior and Environment Appropriations bill invests in critical infrastructure projects, including funding directed specifically at updating our nation’s water infrastructure.
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