Van Hollen Statement on Passage of Omnibus Appropriations Bill

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after House passage of the FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill:

"No piece of legislation is perfect, and I have several concerns with this bill. But I believe it represents the best way forward to keep the government open, protect our nation, and advance many important priorities that help Maryland get ahead.

"I worked hard to negotiate increased funding levels in the Bipartisan Budget Act, passed in October, which allowed today's agreement to make critical investments for Maryland. The Purple Line, WMATA, and efforts to ensure a clean Chesapeake Bay all gain vital support. The National Institutes of Health will see a significant funding boost to levels I requested to appropriators last month. And I'm pleased that funding for full consolidation of the FBI headquarters was included in the bill -- Team Maryland will keep fighting for it to be relocated to Prince George's County.

"This agreement is also a win against Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and women's health programs, gut clean water and clean air programs, and turn our backs on refugees fleeing the horror of ISIS.

"I am disappointed that once again, Republicans refused to allow the Centers for Disease Control to conduct lifesaving research on gun violence. I oppose efforts to prevent the SEC and IRS from developing rules to promote increased campaign finance disclosure. And on climate change, Republicans need to finally put American families and future generations ahead of oil company executives. We have to take action now if we're going to save our planet from the disastrous consequences of climate change."

Source