Rep. Calvert Votes for Fiscal Year 2015 Continuing Resolution

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority of the House (319-108) to approve the Fiscal Year 2015 Continuing Resolution, which will maintain federal government operations. The legislation continues funding for government programs and services at the current annual cap rate of $1.012 trillion until December 11, 2014.

"While I continue to be frustrated by the Senate's inability to pass appropriations bills in regular order, the passage of the Fiscal Year 2015 Continuing Resolution ensures that the American people will not have to endure an unnecessary government shutdown," said Rep. Calvert. "The House Appropriations Committee has put in a tremendous amount of work to produce appropriations bills that fund federal agencies and programs at responsible levels while putting a stop to the Obama administration's endless onslaught of job-killing regulations. It's time for the Senate to follow suit."

Continuing Resolution Summary:

(Provided by the House Appropriations Committee)

Length and Level of Funding–The CR extends funding for operations for all federal agencies, programs and services until December 11, 2014. The bill provides funding at the current annual rate of $1.012 trillion.

General Items–Virtually all existing policy and funding provisions included in currently enacted fiscal year 2014 Appropriations legislation will carry forward in this CR. The bill does not include new controversial riders, or large changes in existing federal policy.

However, the CR does include some changes to existing law that are needed to prevent catastrophic, irreversible, or detrimental changes to government programs, to address current national or global crises, or to ensure good government. These provisions are funded within the total level of funding in the legislation. Some of these provisions include:

• A provision to extend expiring Department of Defense activities, including counter-drug operations, support to the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq, and rewards for assistance in combatting terrorism.

• A provision to continue a surge in funding for State Department programs to counter regional aggression toward Ukraine and other former Soviet Union countries.

• Several provisions to ensure appropriate treatment of veterans and continued oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as additional funds for disability claims processing, and funds for investigations into potential improper conduct including "waitlist" and "whistleblower" allegations.

• A provision allowing funding flexibility for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to maintain staffing levels, border security operations, detention space, and immigration enforcement activities.

• Provisions to address the recent Ebola crisis, including additional funding to accelerate HHS research on Ebola therapies, and additional funding for the Centers for Disease Control's response to the growing outbreak in Africa.

• A provision allowing additional funds to offset food price increases in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to ensure that no current recipients are removed from the program.

• A provision allowing funding flexibility to maintain weather satellite programs, ensuring the continuation of data for weather warnings and forecasts, including forecasts of severe weather events.

• A provision allowing the continuation of current funding for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.

• A provision extending the operating authority for the Export-Import Bank through June 30, 2015.

• A provision extending the Internet Tax Freedom Act through the period of the CR ending on December 11, 2014.

For the full text of the legislation, please visit:www.rules.house.gov