Stewart Statement on Passage of the FY 2015 Omnibus Spending Bill

Press Release

Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) voted in favor of HR 83, which provides funding for the majority of the Federal Government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2015. The bill passed the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 219 to 206. The bill provides funding of the Federal Government through FY 2015 except for the Department of Homeland Security, which is only funded until February 27, 2015.

Stewart released the following statement after the passage of the bill:

"This bill represents a very imperfect compromise between divided houses of Congress. Despite its many shortcomings, I believe that it was critical to avoid another government shutdown, while still holding the President accountable for his overreaching executive action on immigration. That is what this bill does."

Importantly the bill:

Provides no new funding for Obamacare.
Funds the Department of Homeland Security under a temporary Continuing Resolution until February 27, 2015--allowing for a Republican House and Senate to hold the President accountable for his executive overreach on immigration.
Cuts funding to the IRS and prohibits the targeting of groups due to ideological beliefs.
Protects important provisions for rural Utah by fully funding the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program.
Stops the Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the sage-grouse on the Endangered Species List thereby allowing Utah to manage the species under its State Management Plan.
Cuts funding for the EPA and prohibits the regulation of lead in ammunition.
Fully funds the cost-of-living allowance shortfall for military retirees.
Prohibits the implementation of the UN Arms Trade Treaty.
Prevents the regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches under the Clean Water Act.
Increases funding for the Veterans Administration in order to address the substantial backlogs in veterans claims.
Stewart continued:

"This bill allows us to start fresh in the next Congress in doing the people's business without the threat of Government Shutdown. I look forward to working with Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate in the 114th Congress."

Source