Senate Committee Approves FY2019 Financial Services & General Government Appropriations Bill

Statement

The Senate Committee on Appropriations today advanced a $23.688 billion funding measure that prioritizes national programs to combat terrorism financing, spur small business growth, maintain a fair and efficient judicial system, and target heroin and prescription drug abuse.

The FY2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act provides $16 million above the FY2018 enacted level to fund the U.S. Treasury Department, the Judiciary, Small Business Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and several other independent agencies.

The measure includes targeted funding increases for the Treasury Department to combat money laundering and terrorism financing; for the SEC and CFTC to oversee our nation's securities, swaps, and futures markets; for the Federal courts to support the administration of justice; and for the General Services Administration's (GSA) Federal Buildings Fund. The bill was approved 31-0.

"The bill funds several agencies that are critical to maintaining the integrity of our financial markets and promoting the growth of our economy," said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). "I commend Senators Lankford and Coons for producing a strong bill that carefully balances many competing interests."

"This is a responsible bill that boosts our national economy, financial security, and government accountability, and I urge the Senate to pass it without delay," said U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee. "I'm pleased that we are moving forward on the appropriations process. Orderly and transparent appropriations is a core responsibility of Congress, and a place where significant government reforms can be implemented."

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