Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on the FY2017 Defense Appropriations bill:
“It is disappointing that it took until March - nearly halfway into the fiscal year - to bring forward a Defense Appropriations bill that could have and should have been finished more than five months ago.
“Nevertheless, I thank Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate for their hard work and cooperation on this product, which keeps faith with caps on discretionary spending. Unlike the Defense Appropriations bill passed by the House last June, this bill does not break statutory spending limits, nor does it create a shortfall in funding mid-year, which would have affected salaries and mission support for men and women serving bravely in harm’s way.
“All Americans know we must ensure our Armed Forces are staffed, trained, and equipped to meet the challenges they face. We must fulfill that responsibility without neglecting the critical services and investments funded through the 10 other unfinished Appropriations bills."
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
