Kuhl Votes To Keep Federal Government Open, Increase American Energy Production

Press Release

U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) today voted to prevent the federal government from shutting down. The continuing resolution (CR), a temporary mechanism to fund the federal government, will fund government programs through March 6, 2009.

"Due to the Democratic leadership's inability to do their job, Congress was unable to take one appropriations bill at a time and finish the appropriations process by the September 30th deadline. Today, we took up an omnibus funding bill that will keep our federal government operational until March 6, 2009," said Rep. Randy Kuhl. "A crucial win in the CR for American families and small businesses is the expiration of the current ban on offshore energy and oil shale production. As of October 1st, we will be able to increase American energy production and take a crucial step toward American energy independence."

In addition to lifting the ban on offshore drilling and oil shale energy production, the CR increases funding for two important initiatives for which Rep. Kuhl has recently encouraged support. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding level was increased by $2.5 billion, and will help families pay rising home energy bills. Equally as important, the CR also funds the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) at $250 million above 2008 levels to improve the energy efficiency of low-income housing.

For the Department of Veterans Affairs, the CR includes a total funding level of $47.6 billion. The bill funds the Veterans Health Administration at $40.8 billion for medical care for veterans and provides $510 million for medical and prosthetic research, including trauma and mental health research.

Other important provisions in the CR include:
• Funding the Pell Grant program through the Department of Education at $18 billion, $2.5 billion above the 2008 level.
• Providing $400 million for Economic Development Assistance Programs.
• Providing $775 million in funding for border fencing, infrastructure, and technology programs.
• Providing $950 million in state grants to help train and equip local first responders.
• Extending the Appalachian Regional Commission through March 6, 2009.
• Appropriating $72 million for a new initiative to pay troops $500 for every month their term of service will be involuntarily extended in 2009.
• Providing $943 million for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The current appropriations Acts expire on September 30, 2008, therefore the continuing resolution is necessary to avoid a government shutdown. The legislation funds most government operations at fiscal year 2008 levels, with the notable exceptions of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs.

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