Congressman Courtney Votes to Prevent Second Trump Shutdown and Fund Government Through Fiscal Year

February 15, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted in favor of legislation to fund the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year 2019, and to avoid a second shutdown this year spurred by the Administration. The Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.J. Res. 31) passed the House by a vote of 300-128 and includes a framework agreement to responsibly fund the Department of Homeland Security and secure the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as six other appropriations bills that would fully fund the remainder of federal agencies and protect key priorities such as a pay raise for federal workers, investment in American infrastructure, provisions to address Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis, and more. Click here to read more about Congressman Courtney's provisions addressing the crumbling foundations crisis.

"Today's passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act is a win for hardworking federal employees, for the Coast Guard, law enforcement officials, the environment, and more," said Congressman Courtney. "I'm particularly pleased that today's funding package restored the 1.9% pay increase to federal employees that President Trump tried to eliminate on December 28, and that it took another step towards helping folks in eastern Connecticut who are affected by the crumbling foundations crisis. Two provisions that I authored along with Connecticut's own Congressman John Larson were included in today's funding bill, acknowledging the crisis on a federal level. While these provisions themselves won't solve the crisis, their passage today provides strong backing for our ongoing efforts to procure resources at the federal level to help with this far-reaching problem.

"In addition to provisions to address the crumbling foundations crisis, there are number of items to be pleased with in this legislation. Thanks to the efforts of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Chairwoman of the Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee, this bill strikes a good compromise to fund the first ‘Polar Security Cutter', a much-needed heavy icebreaker, as well as additional funding for long lead time materials for the second heavy icebreaker. The bill also provides $5 million requested by my colleagues and I in the Connecticut Congressional delegation for the National Coast Guard Museum.

"I'm pleased that the House was able to reach a bipartisan compromise to avoid yet another senseless and harmful government shutdown, and that we were able to secure some key funding priorities in the process. I urge President Trump to sign this bill as soon as it arrives to his desk, and to end the practice of placing American families and servicemembers in the middle of politically-driven government shutdowns."

Some of the highlights of the bill include:

Strong support for the U.S. Coast Guard

The final bill provides $655 million for the first "Polar Security Cutter," an icebreaking vessel, and an additional $20 million for long lead time materials for the second heavy icebreaker.

The bill also provides $5 million to continue our investment in the National Coast Guard

Museum, to be located in New London. This investment follows language in the 2018 Coast Guard authorization bill, championed by Courtney and the Connecticut delegation, to allow the use of federal funding for engineering and design work on the project.

Investments in Infrastructure

The final bill protects the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program from President Trump's proposed elimination. CDBG will continue to receive $3.4 billion for FY 2019.

The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) will see an increase of $1.8 billion in their overall

account—providing $3.3 billion in funding for highway infrastructure programs.

The agreement continues to fund the Rural Water and Waste Disposal fund under USDA Rural

Development—a program that supports many of eastern Connecticut's rural communities.

Investments to Combat the Opioid Crisis

The agreement includes $77 million in new investments for opioid screening at international mail and express consignment facilities.
Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act programs housed at the Department of Justice are increased by 5% or $17 million, for a total of $347 million in funding.
The final bill maintains our commitment to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, by continuing full funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas and the Drug Free Communities Program.

Rejection of Administration's Draconian Cuts to Environmental Programming

The Heritage Partnership Program, which was slated to be eliminated under the President's budget request, receives stable funding. The Last Green Valley in eastern Connecticut relies on this program to operate.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is provided with $435 million—a $10 million increase from the previous year, and a much better outcome than the President's proposed elimination.
The President's budget request proposed a cut of nearly one-third for the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA received a modest increase of $25 million for a total of $8.8 billion.

Continued Commitment to America's Small Businesses and Workers

The bill includes $715 million for the Small Business Administration, $14.5 million above the FY 2018 enacted level, and $36.4 million above the President's budget request. Within this, the bill funds Small Business Development Centers at $131 million, $21 million more than the President's request, and $1 million more than the FY 2018 enacted levels.
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a public-private partnership serving small manufacturers which was slated for elimination by the Trump Administration, will maintain its funding at $140 million. CONNSTEP, a Connecticut manufacturing marketplace, is a member MEP system.

Commonsense Provisions on Immigration

The final bill requires a 17% reduction in detainees by September 30, for an average daily population of 45,274 – nearly 7,000 fewer than requested by President Trump.
Importantly, the final spending package provides critical funding for the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. The final bill provides $30.5 million for ATD family case management, which will go towards improving compliance with immigration court obligations by increasing access to community-based support for housing, healthcare, legal needs, and education. It also provides $40 million for ICE staff dedicated to ATD case management, especially for asylum seekers.

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