WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted to advance three FY2018 appropriations bills: the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. All three bills were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee and include funding for critical West Virginia priorities—including economic development, fighting the opioid epidemic and improving transportation infrastructure.

After markup of the legislation, Senator Capito issued the following statement:
 
“I am proud to have worked on a piece of legislation like the CJS appropriations bill that can help improve the lives of so many West Virginians. This bill provides funding for initiatives I have fought for from my first day in the Senate—including resources to fight the opioid epidemic, expand rural broadband access and promote economic development. It also supports scientific research and programs under the Violence Against Women Act. West Virginia is home to several federal government agencies—from the FBI office in Clarksburg and the ATF Tracing Center in Martinsburg to NOAA and NASA in Fairmont—and this bill will help support the efforts of the men and women who work there.
 
“The THUD appropriations bill will help lay the groundwork for infrastructure investments in our state. This bill funds air, rail, road and transportation programs that impact every West Virginian. It also funds the Community Development Block Grant Program, which has played such a critical role in helping West Virginia recover from last summer’s floods.
 
“As the former chair of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I fully understand the importance of this bill and efforts it funds. This year, as much as any other time, we must continue to recognize and support the Capitol Police, who work tirelessly to keep the Capitol complex and the thousands of people who work and visit here safe. Their brave service makes it possible for us to promote and enjoy the freedom these institutions embody.”
  
Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Bill Highlights:

  • The bill includes $250 million for the Economic Development Agency, rejecting proposals to eliminate the agency.
  • It includes funding for high-performance computing at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Restore-L satellite servicing mission at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Green Bank Telescope.
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) receives an increase in funding, particularly the work being done in Fairmont at the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) facility.
  • Millions of dollars are dedicated to fighting the opioid epidemic through the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA); and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and through fully funding numerous anti-drug grant programs.

 

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Bill Highlights:

  • The bill includes $3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which has helped several cities across West Virginia recover from the June 2016 floods. 
  • Funding is also provided to help improve and support airports and to help ease future congestion and reduce delays for travelers in U.S. airspace.
  • Highway funding is critical to West Virginia, and the bill includes a specific emphasis on rural areas, providing $45 billion from the Highway Trust Fund to be spent on the Federal-aid Highway Program.

 

Legislative Branch Bill Highlights:

  • The bill provides $422.5 million for the U.S. Capitol Police, a $29.2 million above the FY2017 enacted level.
  • It also continues a provision to freeze the pay of any members of Congress, which has prevented pay increases since 2009.

 

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