Funding Package to Improve Border Security, Strengthen Infrastructure and Invest in Communities Heads to President

Statement

Congress today passed a funding bill package that sets federal funding levels for Fiscal Year 2019, sending it to the president to be signed into law. The funding package combines the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Appropriations bills for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Commerce, Justice, Science; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; Interior-Environment; State and Foreign Operations; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. As Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) had a significant role in crafting the final product, which includes funding programs critical to Alaska.

"I am pleased that we were able to put our differences aside, work together in a bipartisan manner, to get the government back on track and do what's right for our nation. Together, we avoided what would have been another harmful partial government shutdown by coming to an agreement on border security and the remainder of the Fiscal Year 2019 bills not yet enacted. The Appropriations Committee has worked hard to return to regular order, voting appropriations bills out of committee and the Senate with strong bipartisan support. I'm encouraged that we were able to finalize that good work," said Senator Murkowski. "This funding package invests in communities and creates opportunities for Alaskans. I'm particularly proud of the provisions I secured that prioritize our nation's security, Alaska's fisheries, transportation and infrastructure needs, Native and rural programs, as well as initiatives to protect Alaska's land, people, and wildlife. By fully funding the first heavy polar security cutter in more than forty years, we are making a significant step in the right direction to an icebreaker fleet."

Previously Congress approved, and the President signed, five of the 12 appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019. This included Appropriations bills for Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education; Energy and Water; Military Construction-Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch.

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