Capito: Emergency Spending Bill Assists West Virginia Families, Helps Keep America Secure

Capito: Emergency Spending Bill Assists West Virginia Families, Helps Keep America Secure

WASHINGTON, DC -(3/16)- Legislation passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives will increase funding for low-income home heating assistance and veterans health care, keep America's ports safer, provide our troops in the field with more armor and fund hurricane relief efforts, according to Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

The bill, H.R. 4939, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, passed by a vote of 338 to 71.

"This legislation provides funding for some of our country's most pressing needs," said Capito. "Whether it is providing funding for armored vehicles to help keep our troops safe or ensuring Dubai Ports World does not take over operations of our ports, this legislation provides for our priorities and helps keep our country secure."

The bill prohibits Dubai Ports World or any entity controlled by them from taking control of United States port operations; provides for getting the safest, most effective armored vehicles to our troops in the field; makes $750 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available in fiscal years 2006 and 2007; provides the Veteran's Administration (VA) the authority to use up to $275 million to avert a shortfall in the VA medical services program; and provides $19.1 billion in hurricane disaster assistance.

Capito added, "This bill funds a broad set of important priorities, none of which are more important than providing funding to protect our troops. These men and women sacrifice daily to ensure our safety, and we must continue to do all that we can to ensure theirs."

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=148&whichone=pr