WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today voted to pass the first government funding bill of FY2019, legislation she secured resources in for a broad range of West Virginia priorities. The legislation combines three different funding bills—the Energy and Water Appropriations Act; the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act; and the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. It passed the Senate by a vote of 86 to 5.
 
“From resources that will help us care for our veterans and drive economic growth to funding that will help expand broadband access and strengthen our energy potential, this legislation includes a wide range of wins for West Virginia. I am thrilled I was able to secure funds for programs and priorities that I know make a real difference in the lives of West Virginians,” Senator Capito said. “This is also a significant step forward in returning regular order to the appropriations process. For years, we have passed one continuing resolution after another, which has weakened our ability to prioritize resources as effectively as possible. As a leader on the Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to make sure West Virginia’s priorities are reflected in additional funding measures and that we continue to pass reasonable and meaningful appropriations bills that will help move our state and our country forward.”
 
The FY2019 Energy and Water bill includes: 

  • $6.927 billion, which includes construction at Bluestone Lake Dam and Operations and maintenance at places such as Stonewall Jackson Lake, Tygart Lake, and the Kanawha River Locks and Dams. ($100 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $2.142 billion above the budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers)
  • $727 million for technologies to advance coal, natural gas, oil, and other fossil energy resources. These funds includes operations and research at the National Energy Technology Lab in Morgantown, as well as language prohibiting any contracting of facilities. ($183,000 above the FY2018 enacted level and $225 million above the budget request)
  • $155 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission.
  • Report language directing the Department of Energy to take the necessary steps toward streamlining the approval and permitting process for establishing an ethane storage hub in Central Appalachia.

 
The FY2019 MilCon-VA bill includes:

  • $400 million for opioid misuse prevention and treatment.
  • $525 million for health care specifically for women veterans.
  • $270 million for rural health initiatives.
  • $3 billion to reduce claims backlogs of veterans disability decisions on appeal and meet the demand for other benefit programs.
  • Continued support for a veterans agritherapy pilot program Senator Capito authored and has championed.

 
The FY2019 Legislative Branch bill includes: 

  • Increased funding for the Capitol Police—both for personnel and equipment—to help keep the Capitol complex safe for members, staff, and visitors.
  • A continued freeze in funding that prohibits Members of Congress from receiving a cost-of-living adjustment in FY2019.

 

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