Visclosky Priorities Included in FY 2019 Omnibus Law

Statement

On February 14, 2019, Congressman Visclosky supported the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Omnibus Appropriations legislation. As the legislation has been also approved by the Senate and signed into law, Congressman Visclosky is pleased to highlight the following priorities included in the law:

The law includes $95 million for the International Trade Commission, which negates the Administration's budget request that was $7.4 million less than this funding level. This is also $1.3 million more than the FY 2018 enacted level, and aims to enable the ITC to fully investigate unfair trading practices that are harmful to steelworkers and the American steel and manufacturing industries;
The law includes $2.6 billion for the Capital Investment Grant program, which supports transportation infrastructure projects under the Federal Transit Administration. This is $1.6 billion more than the budget request. The law also requires the FTA to continue work on projects in the development pipeline, which includes the West Lake expansion project and the Double Track project;
The law includes a provision to retitle the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Congressman Visclosky stated, "I am grateful that Congress has been able to find a reasoned compromise that takes tangible action to invest in our nation's economic and transportation infrastructure. We must end the practice of using shutdowns for policy results and use the passage of this legislation as an example of what we can achieve when we listen and act on behalf of the interests of all of our constituents.

"I am pleased that this law supports the great economic value of the Capital Investment Grant program, and I will continue to do everything possible to support the West Lake expansion and the Double Track projects through their application processes.

"I also am heartened that because of the support of our U.S. Senators, the entire Indiana Congressional delegation, and numerous Northwest Indiana organizations, we have successfully titled the first National Park in our state. This action provides our shoreline with the recognition it deserves, and I hope further builds momentum to improve open and public access to all of our region's environmental wonders."

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