Rep. Robert Pittenger
WASHINGTON – Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) today stood with President Donald Trump by voting to start funding a border wall, rebuild America’s military, and provide significant federal funding to combat the opioid epidemic.
“President Trump promised to make America great again. This legislation rebuilds our military, gives our troops the biggest pay raise in 8 years, starts work on a border wall, steps up the fight against opioids, and extends multiple pro-life policies. We have the greatest fighting force in the world, but for too long they were asked to do more with less. President Trump and I are committed to making our troops a priority,” said Congressman Pittenger.
The FY18 federal funding legislation, which passed this afternoon by a vote of 256-167, includes:
· BORDER WALL: $1.57 billion for border security, including approximately 100 miles of physical barriers along America’s porous southern border. President Trump requested 74 miles for this round of funding.
o $7 million to hire 351 new Customs and Border Protection law enforcement officers.
o 1,196 additional detention beds to hold more illegal immigration suspects.
· FUNDS AMERICA’S MILITARY AT LEVELS REQUESTED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND DEFENSE SECRETARY MATTIS:
o Biggest increase in defense funding in 15 years, for a total of $655 billion.
o Fully funds the biggest pay raise for our troops in 8 years.
o $20 billion in additional funding for readiness, training, and maintenance.
o $25 billion in additional funding to replace/upgrade outdated equipment.
· OPIOID CRISIS: Nearly $4 billion to fight the opioid epidemic, including $94 million to expand FDA efforts to fight opioid trafficking through the mail and $447 million for grants to fund drug courts, prescription drug monitoring, at-risk youth programs, and treatment programs.
· PRO-LIFE: Extends important pro-life provisions, including the Hyde Amendment, a ban on Legal Services Corporation funding for abortion-related litigation, a ban on taxpayer-funded abortion through the federal employee health insurance program, and multiple conscience protections. In addition, all HHS grants are now administered by pro-life appointees who will not direct funding to abortion clinics.
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