Kaptur statement on 2017 Omnibus spending bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee, today issued the following statement:

"Though imperfect, this compromise funding bill to fund the remainder of this fiscal year comes at a welcome time. Congress can now send a signal of stability and security to the American people. With this agreement, we will finally and fully fund federal agencies for the remainder of the year and avert another manufactured funding crisis.

"For Ohio, the agreement brings welcome news in the form of an additional $600 million for fighting the opioid epidemic and critical funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) at the benchmark $300 million level. Despite the Administration's proposal to zero out funding for GLRI next year, this agreement assures that funding for 2017 is forthcoming and provides for the continuation of our important work to improve water quality in the Great Lakes.

"As Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, I am well aware we have more work to do, but this spending bill continues our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation, investing in cutting edge science as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, for which this bill allocates $2.1 billion."

For more on the FY2017 Omnibus Appropriations Act click here.