Appropriations Bill Helps Alleviate Sequestration

Press Release

Today Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) supported appropriations legislation that increases defense spending, which helps alleviate sequestration's impact on our region and military. The bill also restricts the president's ability to transfer detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S., supports important upgrades at Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore, and reforms the Visa Waiver Program.

"Passage of today's bill ensures we meet our promise to pay our troops, care for our veterans, and protect our nation from domestic terrorist attacks," said Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) who represents the congressional district with the highest concentration of men and women in uniform in the country. "Though imperfect, this legislation also helps alleviate sequestration, which continues to threaten our region, our economy, and the men and women who bravely serve our country."

Noting that the bill provides $7 million for upgrades to NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore, which Rigell strongly advocated for as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, he continued: "Thanks to House leadership's support for our NASA facilities and programs, America will continue to be a world leader in space exploration."

Highlights of the bill:

* Increases defense spending: Consistent with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, this legislation increases military funding levels and ensures our troops are equipped with the tools necessary to carry out their missions safely and effectively.
* Strengthens the Visa Waiver Program: Enhances national security by tightening requirements under our Visa Waiver Program.
* Supports Wallops Flight Facility: Provides $7 million for upgrades to our NASA facility on the Eastern Shore.
* Restricts the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees: Prohibits funding for transfers of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. or its territories, prohibits funding to modify or acquire any facility in the U.S. to house detainees, and places conditions on the release of detainees to other countries.
* Honors our commitment to our veterans: Ensures our veterans receive their much-deserved health benefits, speeds up VA claims processing, prioritizes modernizing the VA's electronic health care record system, and tightens oversight of construction projects.
* Provides critical healthcare benefits for 9/11 first responders: Permanently reauthorizes critical health care benefits for these brave men and women -- and it does so in a fiscally responsible way.

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