Heck Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Act and Tax Extenders Package

Statement

Below is a statement from Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) following the vote on Consolidated Appropriations, or "Omnibus", which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 316-113 as House Amendment #1 to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2029:

"The funding levels within this legislation are reasonable, were reached through bipartisan collaboration, and most importantly, avoid a return to irresponsible sequestration cuts. What is best for our economy, and for Joint Base Lewis-McChord, are spending levels that ensure we can make progress in our defense, disease prevention and research, education, environment, and numerous other priorities.

"I was pleased to see that many unpopular policy riders were not included in the final package, with the exception of the lift on the oil export ban which I oppose. However I am encouraged to see the funding allocated for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, preserving its viability and effectively bringing it back after its authority lapsed last September.

"Looking forward to next year, we need to have a more open process, pass separate appropriations bills with bipartisan support and continue common sense compromise on both sides."

Below is a statement from Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) following the vote on the "Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015," which passed yesterday as the Amendment #2 to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2029 by a vote of 318-109:

"Time to put away the pencils and get out the ink to make the state and local sales tax deduction permanent. The hard-working taxpayers of Washington deserve tax equity with taxpayers in other states that enjoy deductions for their state income taxes. Overall, common sense tax deductions allow working Americans to predict their tax burden so they can plan accordingly."

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