Representative Tom Graves released the following statement after he voted for, and the House passed, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act (H.R. 3354), legislation to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2018:
“This bill is true to its name, and it’s true to our principles. It keeps our country secure by funding President Trump’s border wall and strengthening our military.
It makes America prosperous again by restoring financial freedoms so families can earn a living and achieve their dreams. It advances conservative principles by protecting life, caring for our veterans and reducing the rules and reach of government.
“Passing this unified conservative bill is a new approach to the annual government funding process. I credit Republican leaders and members for agreeing to try something different, and the Appropriations Committee for doing what most thought was impossible. Now it’s time to work with the Senate and the administration to secure these victories for the American people.”
In May, Rep. Graves first presented House Republicans with his idea to change the annual appropriations process by rolling the usual 12 individual funding bills into one conservative bill well ahead of the deadline. The House will now use this bill as the basis for government funding negotiations with the Senate. Both chambers will have to pass an identical bill before it is sent to President Trump to be signed into law. The deadline for negotiations to end is Dec. 8.
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann issued the following statement after voting in support of the act:
“My vote for H.R. 3354 was a vote for the security of our nation. This appropriations package gives our troops a long overdue pay raise, grants robust funding for national security, and funds the initial construction of a southern border wall. Along with the wall, border security will be increased with thousands of additional ICE agents and border patrol agents.
“In addition to funding for our national security priorities, this legislation continues crucial investments into medical research and other worthy causes that will benefit the American people. This includes resources to combat the tragic opioid crisis and continues our promising fight against terrible diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.
“Finally, this bill will help advance the interests of East Tennessee. H.R. 3354 provides funds for construction of the Chickamauga Lock, the national security mission at Y-12, nuclear cleanup accounts, and cutting edge scientific research that supports the fantastic work occurring in Oak Ridge.
“Today, the House moved quickly to fund essential government operations in one of the most conservative appropriations packages to pass the House of Representatives in recent years.”
With this “12-in-1” method, it is the first time in over a decade that a Republican House majority has passed all annual appropriations bills before the start of the next fiscal year.