Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) released the following statement today in support of a continuing resolution to fund the federal government:
“Congress has two responsibilities – to pass a budget and pay our bills on time,” said Congressman Cuellar. “While I would have preferred to see a full appropriations bill brought before the House, I feel that it is time to stop putting politics over policy. That is why I stand in support today of this Continuing Resolution that contains much needed funding flexibility for the Department of Homeland Security to deal with unaccompanied minors at the border, a reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, and funding to combat the Ebola crisis. I thank Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Nita Lowey for their hard work on this continuing resolution.”
Click HERE to watch Congressman Cuellar’s full statement on the House Floor:
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on a Continuing Resolution that will provide funding to the federal government until December 11th. Full details of the Continuing Resolution are included below:
Export-Import Bank
The authorization for Export-Import Bank operating authority is extended until June 30, 2015.
Unaccompanied Minors
The Administration requested apportionment flexibility so that DOJ, DHS, and HHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement may address the rise in unaccompanied children at the southwest border and resulting staffing issues through the duration of the CR. The CR provides anomalies that include this authority for DHS and HHS, but not for DOJ.
Ebola
The CR includes $30 million for CDC and $58 million for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (within HHS) to respond to the Ebola outbreak.
National security
The CR provides $50 million to clear unexploded, subsurface ordnance in Afghanistan.
The CR extends authorities to support the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq; and to provide for assistance in combatting terrorism.
The CR continues the FY2014 spending rate for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).
The rule makes in order one amendment providing the President authority to train and equip forces fighting ISIL.
Weather satellites
The CR includes flexible apportionment to maintain the planned launch schedule for NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system.
User fees
The CR allows FDA to collect and spend fees authorized under the Drug Quality and Safety Act on facilities that compound human drugs; and extends authority for recreation fee programs, including National Park Service annual passes.
District of Columbia
The CR allows the District of Columbia to spend its local funds in accordance with the budget request through the duration of the CR.
Internet Tax Freedom
The Internet Tax Freedom Act, barring taxes on internet access, bandwidth, and email, is extended through the duration of the CR.
Chemical security
The CR extends operating authority to regulate security at high-risk chemical facilities.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The CR extends authority for TANF, including the Contingency Fund at a slightly reduced baseline level.
Military construction
Appropriations on military construction are reduced by $3.25 billion from the FY2014 enacted level to the lower FY2015 request level.
Veterans
The CR increases funding for the VA disability claims backlog to the President’s FY2015 budget request level, increases funding for the Office of Inspector General to investigate complaints about medical care, and increases funding for the Office of Special Counsel to pursue whistleblowing and retaliation complaints from VA employees.
Ukraine
The CR includes a provision providing flexibility within accounts to ensure the Department of State and USAID can respond to events in Ukraine.
War risk aviation insurance
The CR extends war and terror risk aviation insurance authority. While major commercial airlines are insured through the private market, some smaller airlines and cargo carriers use this federal program.
Environmental Cleanup
The CR provides flexible apportionment to maintain existing employment levels at Department of Energy cleanup sites.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The CR increases funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) to the President’s FY2015 budget request level.
Small business loans
The CR increases the loan limit for the Small Business Administration 7(a) loan program to accommodate recent increases in loan demand.
