WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2018 (FY18) Make America Secure Appropriations Act,H.R. 3219, to advance national security, enhance care for our veterans, provide critical infrastructure funding and maintain fiscal discipline. Additionally, the bill protects the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) from proposed elimination and fully funds a 2.4% pay raise for troops, the largest increase in eight years.

"This legislation will ensure that we as the Congress uphold our most sacred responsibility - to provide for our nation's common defense. As promised to the American people, we are rebuilding and modernizing our military as an international powerhouse by better equipping our troops, strengthening counter-terrorism effforts and reestablishing confidence with our allies," said Rogers, Chairman of House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. "Under the previous administration, our Department of Defense faced needless uncertainty. I am proud that we are now turning the tide - providing our troops and their commanders with the necessary resources to respond to threats from countries like Russia, China and Iran, as well as crush the violent extremists who wish to do us harm."

The legislation combines four of the federal funding bills for FY18 already approved by the House Appropriations Committee, including: Defense; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Legislative Branch; and Energy and Water. The bill also includes $1.6 billion to secure our Southern border, meeting the full White House request. 

The House Appropriations Committee passed all 12 federal funding bills after holding 74 oversight and budget hearings and listening to more than 400 witnesses to ensure they addressed the needs of the American people. 

The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. 

Click here to watch Congressman Rogers' floor speech in support of the legislation. 

Click here for more information about the Make America Secure Appropriations Act.

Bill Highlights

• The legislation provides $658.1 billion for the Department of Defense and includes:
  
  
• Continued rebuilding of U.S. Armed Forces;
  
  
• Training and equipment for our troops to maintain our military superiority;
  
  
• The largest pay raise for our troops in eight years; and
  
  
• Cutting-edge defense technology for our military.
  
  
• Military Construction and Veterans Affairs is funded at $88.8 billion and includes: 
  
  
• The highest level of funding ever for the Department of Veterans Affairs;
  
  
• Support for VA patients, including mental health care services, suicide prevetion, opioid abuse prevention and homless veterans services; and 
  
  
• Increasing funding for construction of critical military infrastructure to keep our troops prepared and healthy.
  
  
• The legislation provides $37.6 billion for Energy and Water Development, including:
  
  
• An increase of funding for the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons programs to strengthen national security;
  
  
• Improvements in public safety, job creation and economic development through support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
  
  
• Efforts to move the U.S. toward energy independence through investments in the Department of Energy; and
  
  
• A reduction of regulations, including authorization for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of the Army to withdraw from the Waters of the U.S. rule. 
  
  
• The Legislative Branch is provided with $3.58 billion and includes:
  
  
• Security for Members of Congress, staff and the people they serve; 
  
  
• Critical functions of the House of Representatives; and
  
  
• A continued pay freeze for Members of Congress.
  
  
• Physical Barrier Construction is funded at $1.6 billion, including:
  
  
• Security for our Southern border; and 
  
  
• Bollards and levee improvements.
  
  

Bill Information
 
For a bill overview, please visit:
https://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/national_security_package_one_pager.pdf
 
For a detailed summaries of the four bills, please visit:
 
Department of Defense Appropriations bill
https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394930
 
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill
https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394909
 
Energy and Water Appropriations bill
https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394941

Legislative Branch Appropriations bill
https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394925
 

For the text of the legislation, please visit:
https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394925
 
For the bill reports, please visit:

Department of Defense Appropriations bill report
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-115hrpt219/pdf/CRPT-115hrpt219.pdf
 
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill report
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-115hrpt188/pdf/CRPT-115hrpt188.pdf
 
Energy and Water Appropriations bill report 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-115hrpt230/pdf/CRPT-115hrpt230.pdf
 
Legislative Branch Appropriations bill report 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-115hrpt199/pdf/CRPT-115hrpt199.pdf

Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information, visit Congressman Rogers' online office at http://halrogers.house.gov or follow him on Twitter or Instagram @RepHalRogers, and on Facebook.