Graves
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Sam Graves made the following statement after voting to fund the government through fiscal year 2015.
“By passing today’s spending measure, we have averted a government shutdown, while also allowing for action to be taken to address the President’s executive amnesty early next year when we will finally have a working partner in the U.S. Senate,” said Rep. Graves. “This legislation contains many positive provisions for the people of North Missouri, such as reining in the EPA’s ability to infringe on private property rights of farmers and ranchers, prioritizing the Army Corps of Engineers funding for navigation and flood control, and increasing pay for our military service members,” he continued.
Background:
The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, provides $1.013 trillion for the federal government. This is consistent with the Ryan-Murray Agreement’s caps of $521 billion for defense and $492 billion for non-defense spending. H.R. 83 fully funds 11 of the 12 regular Appropriations bills through September 30, 2015, and funds the Department of Homeland Security under a Continuing Resolution (CR) until February 27, 2015.
Highlights:
No new funding for ObamaCare
Requires HHS and Treasury to report to Congress on improper payments of ObamaCare tax subsidies
Obamacare transparency – requires ObamaCare healthcare plans to tell customers if they provide abortion services
Cuts EPA $60 million (fifth consecutive year of cuts, totaling a 21% reduction since FY10, and a decrease in 2,000 positions – 1989 levels)
Prohibits regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches
Fully funds our troops’ pay raise
Includes $94 billion for new equipment and upgrades of attack submarines including EA-18G Growlers, which are manufactured in Missouri
Protects Second Amendment rights and prohibits EPA to regulations of lead content in ammunition or fishing tackle
Prohibits IRS targeting organizations based on their ideological beliefs or for exercising their First Amendment rights
Provides $2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims to end the backlog and rescinds $41 million in performance bonuses at the VA