WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, today released the following statement regarding House passage of the fiscal year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which will provide discretionary funding for the entire federal government for the fiscal year:
“One of Congress’ primary responsibilities is to fund our nation’s priorities. Unfortunately, the Senate has failed to approve a single appropriations bill over the past two years – forcing our nation to operate on the spending priorities of several years ago. That is why we’re taking an important step today to ensure that we appropriately restrict the influence of the Obama Administration on current spending and make difficult budgetary choices to save taxpayer dollars wherever possible without undermining national security or the soundness of the American economy.
“Due to Republicans’ efforts, the Omnibus reflects a decrease of $21 billion in spending compared to last year – marking the first time since the Korean War that discretionary spending has been cut four years in a row. The Omnibus ensures that medically-retired military veterans and veterans currently over the age of 62 receive their full benefits with no COLA decrease, provides no new funding for ObamaCare, and reduces funding for the EPA. The bill also prevents aid to Libya until it completely assists in the Benghazi investigation. While I continue to fight for a smaller, more efficient government, I’m proud of the progress made in this bill to promote conservative priorities and put our nation on a more fiscally sustainable path.”
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