House advances appropriations package to fund border wall, increase military funding

The U.S. House of Representatives recently advanced an appropriations bill that would fund President Trump’s wall on the Mexican border and various other security initiatives.

The bill includes funding for the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Energy and Water Development, and the Legislative Branch.

“Among other provisions, the bill provides critical funding for programs that keep the homeland and New York City safe, enhance U.S. disaster preparedness capabilities, deliver resources to combat the opioid abuse epidemic, prioritize medical research, incentivize economic growth, and cut government waste,” Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) said. “Importantly, this bill was also passed on time and through regular order, and I hope the Senate will act swiftly to pass it.”

Specifically, the bill includes $1.6 billion for a physical barrier along the Southern Border, $747 million to address opioid and heroin abuse, $35.2 billion for biomedical research $2.7 billion for FEMA grant programs and funding for 2.4 percent pay raise for the military.

It also increases military funding by $68.1 billion and provides $78.3 billion for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical programs as well as $6.16 billion to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for navigation and flood protection projects. It would also restore funding to the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL), a New York City laboratory that researches, develops, and evaluates new tools for law enforcement and first responders.