Rep. Calvert Votes for Bipartisan Budget Agreement

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority (240 to 186) of the House of Representatives to approve the Bipartisan Budget Act. The legislation also provides almost $90 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief efforts for affected communities.

"The passage of a budget agreement that ends the budget caps on defense is long overdue," said Rep. Calvert. "Our military budgets have been under strain for years due to the Budget Control Act. The approved agreement will help reverse funding trends that have degraded our military readiness, training and equipment to dangerous levels. After years of a budget driven strategy, our defense leaders will be able to plan, resource and execute the missions necessary to keep our country safe as well as protect our national interests around the world. I'm pleased that this bill will now allow the Appropriations Committee to complete its work on the FY2018 appropriations bills. The bill also contains emergency supplemental funding, including critical resources and tax relief benefits for individuals and businesses affected by California wildfires that had the bipartisan support of our entire delegation."

Bipartisan Budget Act
(Courtesy of the Speaker's Office)

• The two-year budget agreement makes critical investments in America's veterans, disaster relief, infrastructure, and further combatting opioid abuse and drug addiction.

• This agreement will unwind the sequestration cuts that have hamstrung America's armed forces and jeopardized our national security by funding the military at this year's National Defense Authorization Act levels.

• It breaks the spending "parity" demanded for years by Democrats by giving defense a larger funding increase than non-defense discretionary spending. Compared to current law spending caps, the agreement increases defense discretionary funding by $80 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 and $85 billion in FY 2019 vs. an increase in non-defense domestic discretionary of $63 billion in FY 2018 and $68 billion in FY 2019.

• This agreement provides for America's veterans by helping reduce the maintenance backlog at the Veterans Administration.

• This agreement includes $6 billion over two years to bolster the ongoing fight against opioid addiction and substance abuse by funding grants, prevention programs, and law enforcement efforts in vulnerable communities across the country.

• The agreement includes a $20 billion new investment in America's infrastructure -- a bipartisan priority shared by the President and lawmakers in both parties.

• It includes an extension of funding for Community Health Centers.

• This agreement includes an extension of tax relief provisions that are supported by Republicans and Democrats.

• It includes $2 billion in funding over two years for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

• It establishes two committees to address pension and budget/appropriations reform.

Continuing Resolution & Disaster Supplemental:

The agreement includes a Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds the government at current levels through March 23, 2018 in order for the Appropriations Committees to negotiate detailed appropriations and deliver full funding for the remainder of FY 2018, and begin the process for FY 2019.

The legislation also contains almost $90 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to help states, communities, businesses, and individuals respond and recover from recent hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters. Within in this funding, $4.9 billion is provided to increase Medicaid caps for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands for two years, along with program requirements.

Tax & Health Care Policies:

• The agreement includes a one-year extension of critical tax provisions that help families, individuals and small businesses across the country. These provisions expired at the end of 2016.

• It includes an additional four years of authorization for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

• The measure also includes a package of bipartisan Medicare provisions, known as Medicare extenders, and funding for community health centers.

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