Press Releases

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a series of appropriations bills to provide critical resources to support America’s veterans, strengthen national security, and improve U.S. military, energy, and water infrastructure. The legislation includes the Energy and Water, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2019.

Congressman Womack said, “Congress has the power of the purse, and it’s our duty to fund the government in a timely and responsible manner. This package delivers wins for Arkansans and the American people by providing for our national defense, supporting veterans, and investing in vital infrastructure. Importantly, it’s the first time in 10 years that Congress has delivered more than one appropriations bill to the President before the end of the fiscal year. Getting back to regular order is a significant step forward in our process and one that must continue. There is more work to be done before we fulfill all of our funding responsibilities, but I look forward to seeing this package signed into law.”

Bill highlights include:

• Supporting our nation’s veterans by providing the highest discretionary funding levels for the Department of Veterans Affairs in history. This includes increased resources for mental health, opioid abuse, suicide prevention, and rural health programs.
• Strengthening reforms implemented previously through the VA Mission Act, including funds to address the VA claims backlog.
• Bolstering national security by enhancing nuclear weapons and electric grid security programs and military construction projects.
• Investing in American water resources infrastructure to improve navigation and flood control projects, including increased funding for the McClellan–Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
• Advancing U.S. energy independence by encouraging an all-of-the-above energy plan.

Additional information and in-depth details of each bill, can be found here.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) 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. Additionally, he co-chairs the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform.

womack.house.gov

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