Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after the House passed the first appropriations package of fiscal year (FY) 2019, H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water, the Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Act. This legislation provides these programs a total of $145.4 billion in discretionary funding for FY 2019.

“Funding our government is a fundamental responsibility of Congress, and I am encouraged that the House has begun this essential work by passing appropriations to enhance our nation’s energy and water infrastructure, ensure productive operations within the Legislative Branch, rebuild our military infrastructure, and provide for our military families.

“However, for the entirety of our government, the modern Congress has repeatedly failed to fulfill this duty because of the flawed budget and appropriations process. As co-chair of the Joint Select Committee charged with reforming it, I am working to find the solutions necessary to ensure regular order for not only for these important bills, but all government funding legislation.”

Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees.

womack.house.gov

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