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NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: February 9, 2018

House Approves Budget and Emergency Supplemental Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. approved legislation to lift the statutory budget caps and increase funding for national defense, provide emergency disaster aid funding, lift the debt ceiling, extend certain health care and tax authorizations, and maintain government operations until March 23, 2018. This legislation is the result of an agreement reached last night between House and Senate leaders.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen commented on the bill:

“This legislation will help our nation move forward – without the threat of shutdown or default, and with greater budget certainty. This bill represents an agreement, reached on a bipartisan basis by House and Senate leaders, on overall spending ‘caps’ for both Fiscal Year 2018 and Fiscal Year 2019. This will enable work to proceed on all 12 annual Appropriations bills each year – the only responsible way to fund government programs and services.

“In addition, especially important in this agreement is the substantial increase in funds for national defense. Our nation faces multiple security challenges and increasingly aggressive – not to mention, well-equipped – adversaries. We must be prepared to meet them, and we must take care of the men and women in uniform, who do the work of freedom.

“I look forward to working with our Senate counterparts to quickly negotiate and complete all 12 full-year Appropriations bills ahead of the March 23 deadline.”

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NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: February 6, 2018

House Passes Continuing Resolution to Prevent Government Shutdown and Fund National Defense

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved funding to extend federal operations, and to fund the Department of Defense for the 2018 Fiscal Year. The Continuing Resolution (CR) is a stopgap measure that will maintain government funding through March 23, 2018. In absence of this legislation, existing funding would run out on February 8, 2018.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“Our current Continuing Resolution expires on Thursday, and without this legislation, large segments of the federal government will again shut down.

“The challenges we face around the world cannot be met under this fitful ‘stop and go’ Continuing Resolution process. While we delay doing the nation’s business, our military and economic competitors are consolidating their gains.

“However, we are all keenly aware that more time is needed for our leaders in the House, Senate, and White House to negotiate overall funding levels for the 2018 fiscal year. This bill should allow that to happen.

“As soon as Congressional and White House leaders reach a bipartisan budget agreement – which could and should happen at any moment – our Committee will get to work immediately to finish negotiations on all 12 “year-long” funding bills. It is the duty of Congress to complete these annual bills, enact responsible funding for important programs and services including national defense, and provide stability for the government and for the people we represent.”

NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: February 5, 2018

Chairman Frelinghuysen Introduces Resolution to Continue Government Operations and Prevent a Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen today introduced legislation (H.J. Res. 128) to maintain current funding for federal operations and prevent a government shutdown. The Continuing Resolution (CR) is a stopgap measure that will extend government funding until March 23, 2018. In absence of this legislation, existing funding would run out on February 8, 2018.
Chairman Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:
“Continuing funding for federal operations is critical to our nation’s stability, our economy, and for the well-being of the American people. It is a necessary step to ensure the programs and services that all Americans rely on are maintained and available to all.
“It is absolutely vital that all 12 of the regular Appropriations bills be negotiated and signed into law. This CR will allow for additional time for a deal to be reached on topline spending levels for this fiscal year. Once this agreement is made, my Committee will rapidly go to work with the Senate to complete the final legislation.”

NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov
For Immediate Release: January 25, 2018
Bill to Fund the Department of Defense Re-Introduced

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Appropriations Committee today re-introduced legislation to fund the Department of Defense for the 2018 Fiscal Year. The bill (H.R. 4877), which was introduced and passed in the House twice since July 2017, has not been acted on by the Senate.

Chairwoman Kay Granger, the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and the sponsor of the bill, made the following statement:

“Congress’s number one responsibility is to provide for the defense of this nation. It is this bill that fulfills that most fundamental constitutional duty. This important legislation reflects what our military leaders have recommended in countless meetings and briefings and demonstrates our commitment to restoring military readiness, force modernization efforts, and maintaining technological superiority on the battlefield. After years of cuts, it’s time to rebuild our military.”

Full Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen also commented on the bill:

“There is no more critical duty of Congress than upholding our Constitutional responsibilities to provide the men and women of our Armed Forces the resources they need to successfully complete missions and advance U.S. interests around the globe. The safety and security of our nation and peace and stability around the globe depend on it.

“It is past time that this essential, must-pass Department of Defense funding bill is enacted into law. Congress must act responsibly and quickly to get these dollars out the door and where they are needed as soon as possible.”

Bill Information:

The legislation is virtually the same as the Fiscal Year 2018 Defense Appropriations bill that passed the House in July 27, 2017, (H.R. 3219), and the bill that passed again on September 14, 2017, (H.R. 3354) as part of a larger funding packages.

The bill contains $659.2 billion in full-year, Fiscal Year 2018 funding for the Department of Defense (DOD). This includes $584 billion for base funding and $75.1 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding. It also fully funds a 2.4% pay raise, and supports an increase in troop numbers for Active, Reserve, and Guard.

When added to the $4.7 billion in emergency missile defeat and ship repair funds requested by the President in November, which has already been enacted in Public Law 115-96, funding for Fiscal Year DOD appropriations totals $664 billion – fully consistent with enacted National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.

NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: January 22, 2018

Legislation Passed to Continue Government Operations and End the Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress has approved legislation to extend funding for federal operations and end the government shutdown. The Continuing Resolution (CR) is a stopgap measure that will maintain government funding through February 8, 2018.

In addition to continuing government funding and ending the shutdown, the bill includes language to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, a provision that allows the Department of Defense to provide funding for “Missile Defeat and Defense Enhancements” activities, and extensions of several health care-related tax provisions.

Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“This legislation extends government funding through February 8, 2018 – ending this dangerous government shutdown. This legislation will allow time for Congress and the White House to continue to negotiate a longer term funding agreement, while maintaining essential government programs and services.

“The Appropriations Committee and the House passed all 12 Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations bills in September of 2017, and more recently have passed other critical measures such as funding for emergency disaster relief. The Senate has not. In order to negotiate and finally enact this essential legislation, there must be a bipartisan agreement between the House, Senate, and White House on year-long funding levels. It is the Constitutional duty of Congress to provide resources for the needs of our nation, including our Armed Forces. My Committee stands at the ready to fulfill this responsibility, and will work as quickly as possible to complete these funding bills as soon as the overall agreement is reached.”

NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: January 16, 2018
Contact: Jennifer Hing, (202) 226-7007

Resolution to Continue Government Operations and Prevent a Shutdown Released

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen today introduced legislation (H.J.Res 125) to maintain current funding for federal operations and prevent a government shutdown. The Continuing Resolution (CR) is a stop-gap measure that will extend government funding through February 16, 2018. In absence of this legislation, existing funding would run out on January 19, 2018.

In addition to continuing government funding, the bill includes language to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, a provision that allows the Department of Defense to provide funding for “Missile Defeat and Defense Enhancements” activities, and extensions of several health care related tax provisions.

Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“Once again, a Continuing Resolution is needed to provide government funding and avoid a shutdown. My hope is that House and Senate Leadership and the White House can reach consensus quickly on a budget agreement, so that essential Appropriations work on all 12 government funding bills can be completed. We are now four months into the 2018 Fiscal Year, and Congress must act as soon as possible to ensure that proper, year-long funding for our national defense and other critical federal programs is enacted.”

NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: December 21, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Hing, (202) 226-7007

House Approves Two Bills to Continue Government Operations and Provide Emergency Disaster Aid

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved two pieces of legislation to temporarily continue government funding until January 19, 2018, and to provide $81 billion in disaster relief for those affected by recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“The Continuing Resolution will extend current levels of funding for government operations through January 19, 2018, and will prevent a government shutdown. This is critical to our nation’s stability, our economy, for the continuation of programs and services the American people depend on.

“The resolution will also allow time for Republican and Democratic Leaders to come to a longer-term budget agreement on top-line government funding levels for the 2018 fiscal year. Once this agreement is reached, the Appropriations Committee will continue negotiations with the Senate in order to enact all 12 regular Appropriations bills to ensure essential funding for federal programs and services, including national defense. It is critical that Congress complete this Constitutionally-mandated budgetary work as quickly as possible.

“The second bill provides $81 billion in assistance for the next stage of recovery from multiple, back-to-back, devastating disasters, including some of the largest major hurricanes, wildfires, and agriculture losses this country has ever seen. From Florida to Texas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, California, and all areas dealing with major disaster declarations – this Congress is committed to helping communities and families recover.

“I now urge the Senate to act quickly on this bill so that hard-working Americans continue to have access to the programs they rely on, including a strong national defense and critical disaster recovery assistance.”
Highlights:
• Continuing Resolution (CR) – This stopgap measure will temporarily extend federal funding until January 19, 2018. In the absence of this legislation, under the current law existing funding will run out on December 22, 2017. It also includes:

– An additional $4.7 billion for emergency Defense needs, including ship repair and missile defense;
– A temporary extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program to ensure States have the flexibility to administer the program until March 31, 2018;
– An extension of the existing Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for the duration of the CR;
– A temporary extension of the National Flood Insurance program for the duration of the CR;
– An additional $2.1 billion for the Veterans Choice Act funding to cover the upcoming shortfalls in the program; and
– A delay of automatic (sequestration) cuts in both defense and non-defense funding for the duration of the CR.

• Emergency Disaster Supplemental: The bill will provide additional emergency assistance for recent hurricanes, wildfires in California, and related agriculture losses. This emergency funding totals $81 billion, and targets programs that will continue relief and recovery efforts in all affected communities, including in Texas, Florida, California, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For a summary of the emergency supplemental portion of the legislation, please visit: https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395078
For the text of the Continuing Resolution, please visit: http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20171218/BILLS-115HR1370-RCP115-52.pdf
For the text of the Emergency Supplemental, please visit: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-115hr4667ih/pdf/BILLS-115hr4667ih.pdf

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HAC Press release
For Immediate Release: December 15, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Hing, (202) 226-7007

Emergency Disaster Aid Package Introduced

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen today introduced a bill to provide additional emergency assistance for recent hurricanes, wildfires in California, and related agriculture losses. The bill, H.R. 4667, totals $81 billion, and targets funds to programs to continue relief and recovery efforts in all of the affected communities, including in Texas, Florida, California, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“This legislation is the next step in helping our fellow Americans recover from multiple, back-to-back, devastating disasters, including some of the largest major hurricanes, wildfires, and agriculture losses this country has ever seen.

“We have a commitment to our fellow citizens that are in the midst of major rebuilding efforts in all areas, including Texas, Florida, California, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They deserve our continued support, and we must provide the necessary resources for them to recover from these emergencies. This funding is critical to victims devastated by these disasters.

“As we move forward, we will continue to monitor recovery efforts and will stand side-by-side those victims to ensure that they have what is required to regain their livelihoods and rebuild their communities.”

Bill Highlights

Total: $81 billion in emergency spending for programs and activities to respond to recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other designated disasters. This includes funding such as:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): $27.6 billion for FEMA for disaster response and recovery efforts. This includes:

• Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) funding for response and recovery efforts in all disaster affected areas;
• A provision that allows the transfer of up to $4 billion to the Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program Account for Community Disaster Loans (CDL);
• A provision providing up to 90% federal cost share for disasters declared in 2017 for wildfires; and
• $60 million to ensure FEMA’s readiness for future disasters.

Community Development Block Grants-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR): $26.1 billion for CDBG-DR for housing, business, infrastructure, and mitigation needs for communities devastated by disasters in 2017 and prior years. This includes:

• $13.6 billion in grants to states, tribes, and territories for recovery efforts. This is a block grant program for disaster-affected communities with significant flexibility to address local needs; and
• $12.5 billion set-aside for mitigation projects to help communities protect against future natural disasters, and to protect the taxpayer from recurring costs of rebuilding after storms.

Army Corps of Engineers – $12.1 billion for the Corps of Engineers for repairs needed due to natural disasters, and to expedite studies and projects to reduce damages in future disasters in areas affected by recent hurricanes. This includes:

• $10.5 billion for repairs to ongoing construction projects, and to expedite construction projects that will help mitigate future disaster damage;
• $370 million to repair damages along the Mississippi River and its tributaries;
• $608 million for Operation and Maintenance to repair damages, such as dredging of navigation channels;
• $537 million for Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies to repair damages; and
• $75 million to expedite studies to help mitigate future disaster damage.

Agriculture Assistance: $3.8 billion for the Department of Agriculture for disaster recovery from hurricanes, wildfires, and crop loss. This includes:

• $2.6 billion for agriculture disaster assistance, including those related crop and livestock losses in disaster designated zones;
• $541 million for watershed and flood prevention efforts;
• $400 million for emergency conservation efforts to mitigate future disaster risks; and
• $165 million for repairs and mitigation for rural water and waste disposal systems.

Education: $2.9 billion for hurricane education recovery. This funding will help restart operations in schools in affected areas, including school rebuilding and refurbishment and replacement of educational material.
This funding will also provide support to states and localities that accommodate displaced students from K-12, college and technical schools from affected areas, including disabled and homeless students. This funding can be used for both public and private schools.

Small Business Disaster Loans: $1.6 billion for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program. This will allow SBA to make up to $12.2 billion in disaster loans to small businesses and homeowners in all affected areas for recovery and rebuilding.

Defense Facilities – $1.5 billion to repair Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Reserve, National Guard, Coast Guard, and medical military facilities, and to repair or replace equipment damaged by the hurricanes in all affected areas.

Federal Transportation Emergency Relief: $1.4 billion to address all current damages to federal highways caused by designated disasters. These funds are provided directly to states and localities for repairs. The bill also includes $269 million to help communities restore hurricane-damaged mass transit systems.

Economic Development Grants: $600 million to states and localities for economic development grants. These projects can include technical assistance, planning, and infrastructure projects to aid economic recovery in hurricane and wildfire disaster areas.

NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: December 13, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Hing, (202) 226-7007

Resolution Introduced to Fund National Defense, Extend Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Continue Short-Term Government Operations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen today introduced legislation to fully fund national defense programs for the entire fiscal year (including emergency funding for missile defense activities), to continue the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and to maintain current federal operations and prevent a government shutdown (H.J.Res 124).
The Continuing Resolution (CR) is a stopgap measure that will temporarily extend federal funding until January 19, 2018. In the absence of such a measure, under the current law, existing funding will run out on December 22, 2017. The legislation also waives automatic cuts to defense funding and temporarily delays the automatic cuts to non-defense funding, slated to occur in January under the “sequestration” rule.

Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“Funding national defense is a top priority, especially in these uncertain times of instability around the globe. Our troops and commanders must have the resources they need right now to advance peace and our nation’s interests abroad. This Continuing Resolution will fund national defense for the entire fiscal year and provide additional funds for missile defense.

“It is also critically important that we provide resources for our children’s health. Families across the nation rely on the National Children’s Health Program to help sick kids get better and to ensure healthy and happy futures. This legislation includes a measure that would extend this important program throughout the year.

“Lastly, this resolution extends current levels of funding for government operations through January 19, 2018 – preventing a government shutdown. This funding is critical to our nation’s stability, our economy, and for the wellbeing of the American people. It is essential that Congress maintain the programs and services that all Americans depend on.

“This CR is not the preferred way to do the nation’s fiscal business. It is vital that all 12 Appropriations bills be negotiated with the Senate and signed into law. However, this resolution will allow time for the leadership of the House and Senate and the White House to come to agreement on a topline spending level for this fiscal year. Once this agreement is made, my Committee will promptly go to work with the Senate to complete the final legislation.”

NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: December 7, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Hing, (202) 226-7007

House Passes Resolution to Continue Government Operations and Prevent a Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation to maintain current funding for federal operations and prevent a government shutdown. The Continuing Resolution (CR) is a stopgap measure that will extend government funding until December 22, 2017. In absence of this legislation, existing funding would run out tomorrow, December 8, 2017.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, the sponsor of the resolution, made the following statement on the legislation:

“This legislation will prevent a government shutdown and preserve vital federal programs that Americans rely on. This is critical to our nation’s stability, our national security, our economic health, and the wellbeing of the American people.

“This simple, clean extension provides funding for government programs through December 22, and will allow additional time for House and Senate leadership to reach a deal on overall topline spending levels for this fiscal year. It is absolutely vital that all 12 of the regular fiscal year 2018 Appropriations bills be negotiated with the Senate and signed into law. My Committee will go to work immediately to complete these essential bills once an agreement on these spending levels is reached.”