Comprehensive Government Funding Bill Released

May 1, 2017
Press Release

The House Appropriations Committee today released the fiscal year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill, the legislation that will provide discretionary funding for the federal government for the current fiscal year.

The bill includes full Appropriations legislation and funding for the remaining 11 annual Appropriations bills through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2017. This level meets the base discretionary spending caps provided by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, and provides additional funding for national defense, border security, and other emergency needs. 

Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“This package of the remaining Appropriations bills is the result of over a year’s worth of careful and dedicated efforts to closely examine federal programs to make the best possible use of every tax dollar.

“This legislation will fund critical federal government activities, including our national defense, and enact responsible funding decisions to target U.S. investments where they are needed the most. It also maintains and enhances policies that bolster economic growth and support the core values that our nation is built upon.

“It is time that we complete this essential work. It is a solid bill that reflects our common values and that will help move our nation forward, and I urge its quick approval by the Congress and the White House.”

The legislation represents a $25 billion increase in national defense funding over current levels – a major stride forward in restoring the strength and capacity of our armed forces. It also includes a $1.5 billion down payment on additional measures to bolster border security.

In addition, provisions are included for key national priorities such as natural disaster relief, an extension of miners’ health benefits, increases in health research, and opioid addiction treatment and prevention.

Bill Highlights –

Funding Levels –The legislation provides a total of $1.163 trillion in base and Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) / Global War on Terror (GWOT) funding for the operations of the federal government. Base discretionary funding alone in the bill meets the caps in current law, providing $1.07 trillion.

The bill includes $93.5 billion in total OCO/GWOT funding to provide needed resources and training for our troops in the field, to combat the threat of ISIL and other enemies around the world, to support U.S. allies, and to fund diplomatic and humanitarian missions.

The bill also includes $8.2 billion in emergency and disaster funding for fiscal year 2017 for needs resulting from fires, floods, and other extreme weather events.

Timing – The funding included in the bill will extend to the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.

Policy Items – The legislation includes several policy items to help rein in bureaucratic and regulatory overreach, to protect the rights of Americans, and to encourage economic growth and job creation. For details of these items, please see the summaries below.

Omnibus Summaries For detailed summaries of the 11 Appropriations bills within the Omnibus, including funding levels and policy items, please visit the following:

Agriculture

Commerce/Justice/Science 

Defense

Energy and Water 

Financial Services

Homeland Security

Interior and Environment

Labor/Health and Human Services/Education

Legislative Branch 

State/Foreign Operations 

Transportation/Housing and Urban Development 

For the full text of the bill and accompanying reports, please visit: https://rules.house.gov/bill/115/hr-244.

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115th Congress