Press Releases

Washington, DC – September 26, 2018….Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced that he voted to pass a package of appropriations bills that will support the safety, security, and prosperity of the U.S. The legislation includes the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2019, as well as a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the rest of the federal government open through December 7th.

Congressman Womack said, “Providing stable and responsible funding for critical defense, health, and workforce programs will ensure the safety and prosperity of Arkansans and all Americans. This legislation boosts U.S. military readiness by equipping our armed forces with the tools they need, provides troops with a well-deserved pay raise, prioritizes the modernization of defense technology, and makes investments in Arkansas’s defense industry and National Guard programs. As Vice Chairman of the LHHS Subcommittee, I’m also pleased that resources to combat the opioid abuse epidemic, advance medical research, and develop a 21^st century workforce are also prioritized. We have an obligation to the American people to keep our government functioning, and the passage of these bills keeps that commitment.”

Defense bill highlights include:

• Instituting a 2.6% pay raise for the military – the largest increase in 9 years.
• Advancing our military power by investing in new equipment, including combat ships, submarines, and helicopters.
• Boosting troop levels – supporting 1,338,100 active-duty troops and 817,700 Guard and Reserve troops.
• Enhancing funding for military training, maintenance, and base operations.

LHHS bill highlights include:

• Providing vital resources for medical research through the National Institutes of Health for diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer.
• Supporting job training programs and veterans employment services to encourage economic opportunity.
• Advancing tools and programs to fight, treat, and end the opioid abuse epidemic.
• Improving education initiatives for children and resources for school safety.

Once signed into law, it will mark the first time in decades that the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education have been fully funded before the end of the fiscal year.

Womack served as a conferee to finalize the legislation, which was negotiated and reported out earlier this month. The legislation will now head to the President’s desk for signature.

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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