Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016

Floor Speech

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Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I can attest that Division F of the bill before us today, which provides funds for the Department of Homeland Security, is the result of careful consideration, intense scrutiny, and bipartisan collaboration. I want to thank Chairman Carter for his leadership and his partnership in crafting our portion of the bill.

The bill provides significant resources for critical priorities, including funding to recapitalize the Coast Guard air and marine fleets; to fully fund FEMA's disaster relief activities, including wildfire management assistance grants, and to significantly enhance support for flood mapping and predisaster mitigation; and to maintain funding for FEMA terrorism preparedness grants, including $50 million to new funding to help communities counter violent extremism and prepare for complex, coordinated terrorist attacks.

Without this omnibus bill, my home State of California and communities across the country would be faced with the uncertain funding level of a continuing resolution or, in the worst case, the effects of a government shutdown.

It is also important to note the bill does not include a number of harmful immigration policy riders that were adopted during the committee consideration of the House bill.

This funding bill is clearly not what I had hoped for. Many of my colleagues feel the same way. I share many of their concerns, including the lack of assistance provided to Puerto Rico and the giveaways to Big Oil. However, on balance, I believe this bill should move forward. I ask for an ``aye'' vote.

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