Rep. Sanchez Statement on Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus

Statement

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today released the following statement after voting for the Fiscal Year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which passed the House of Representatives with a 395-67 bipartisan vote.

"Today I voted for a funding bill that, though imperfect, will keep the government open and funds vital programs that have suffered the most from sequestration. Importantly, the bill amends the recently enacted cuts to cost of living adjustments, or COLAs, for disabled military retirees and survivors.

"As a Head Start graduate, I am pleased that we have finally restored funding for this critical program and are able to invest in the Obama Administration's Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships.

"The bill also includes three important provisions that will bolster our efforts to halt sexual assaults in the military. It fully funds the Department of Defense's Sexual Assault and Prevention Office (SAPRO) services, includes $25 million above our initial request to implement a Sexual Assault Special Victims Program and makes sure funds can't be used to evade new sexual assault provisions in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.

"I believe homeland security begins with hometown security, so I am glad the omnibus provides better funding for COPS and Byrne-JAG grants, giving state and local jurisdictions the means to keep our communities safe.

"I am, however, incredibly disappointed that the Republicans have blocked our efforts to renew emergency long-term unemployment insurance. This obstruction in an abdication of responsibility we have to Americans doing everything they can to stay afloat in this economy."

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