(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) released the following statement on the Omnibus Appropriations Package for Fiscal Year 2017 (H.R. 244), which passed the House of Representatives today:
“I cast my vote in favor of the bipartisan omnibus appropriations package, which protects critical funding for services and programs that tens of millions of Americans rely on, and averts a calamitous government shutdown.“In this deal, Democrats stood strong against terrible proposals advanced by President Trump and secured significant victories for American families, the U.S. economy, and our shared values. I’m proud of the unity and focus in the Democratic Caucus.
“The omnibus deal secures funding for key Maryland priorities. Despite President Trump’s alarming proposal to cut the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $5.8 billion, we actually secured a $2 billion increase for the NIH, which conducts groundbreaking medical research for people all over the country and is headquartered in Maryland’s 8th District. The omnibus deal also includes $125 million in funding for the highly-anticipated Purple Line under the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program, provides full funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program, and an increase in funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“In standing united, Democrats successfully preserved 99% of the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency, increased funding for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and restored college students’ year-round access to Pell Grants. We also beat back Republican efforts to use the omnibus bill to defund Planned Parenthood, dismantle consumer protections, and fund President Trump’s beloved border wall.”
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Congressman Jamie Raskin represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Montgomery, Frederick, and Carroll counties. He is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, a Senior Democratic Whip, and Freshman Representative to the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee. He also serves on the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee and the Committee on House Administration.