Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on the FY2017 Omnibus Appropriations Act:
“I am pleased that the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have produced an Omnibus Appropriations Act, rather than a full-year Continuing Resolution.
“This is not the bill that any of us would have written individually - it is the product of compromise. Nevertheless, there are many positive attributes, and providing full-year funding direction to federal departments and agencies is among the most basic responsibilities of Congress.
“I am pleased that this Omnibus includes a $2 billion increase in medical research funding at the National Institutes of Health; year-round Pell grants to provide 1 million students with an additional average award of $1,650; and an additional nearly $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to alleviate famine resulting from war, drought, and displacement. I also support provisions extending health insurance for miners; alleviating Puerto Rico’s budget shortfall; and providing flexible assistance to regions affected by severe storms. Critical to New York, I am pleased the Omnibus provides $68 million to reimburse law enforcement agencies for costs incurred helping to protect President Trump and the First Family.
“I look forward to discussing the full details of the legislation with my colleagues."
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
