House Passes Consolidated Appropriations Act

Press Release

Washington, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Representative Tom Marino joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014, which provides $1.012 trillion for the remainder of the fiscal year and an additional $98 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations funding and disaster relief.

House passage of the appropriations bill comes as a result of last month's Bipartisan Budget Act, brokered by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA), which determined the overall discretionary spending level for 2014.

"This bill is a win for my constituents back home and for all Americans," Marino said of the legislation. "It reaffirms a commitment to fiscal responsibility and puts us back on the path of a normal, pre-Obama Administration appropriations process."

Since taking control of the House of Representatives in 2011, Republicans have cut $165 billion in discretionary spending compared to the $210 billion Democrats increased spending during their four year majority.

"My vote today reflects the priorities of my District," Marino said. "It allows for funding to secure our borders and ensure federal corrections officers are protected on the job. It cuts wasteful foreign aid spending to nations that are not our allies -- nations like Libya. It also disregards the President's request to further fund his job-destroying health care law."

Another provision of the legislation delays implementation of Section 207 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, offering relief to some of those facing increased flood insurance premiums.

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be prevented from using any appropriated funds for the purpose of implementing flood insurance premiums for remapped properties," Marino added. "It is a start -- we still have more to do to address the astronomical rates many families and small businesses are facing."

Earlier this week, Congress implemented a three-day stop-gap spending measure to keep the government funded and operating through the week. The Senate and President must act before January 18 to avoid the threat of a government shutdown.

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