Rep. Kelly Supports Bipartisan Appropriations Package for Fiscal Year 2014

Statement

Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement today in support of the fiscal year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which will provide discretionary funding for the entire federal government until September 30, 2014. The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives earlier today by a bipartisan vote of 359-67. A summary of the bill can be viewed here.

"Today's bill demonstrated how, even after heated debate and passionately-fought battles, Congress can still rise above dysfunction in order to do what's right for the American people. It also marks a victory for those of us who have been fighting the long fight to bring fiscal sanity back to Washington. After adjustment for inflation, non-defense discretionary spending this year will be at its lowest level since before President Obama took office. While properly funding all the facets of government which protect our nation and care for our most vulnerable, this important budget plan brings about commonsense cuts to many wasteful projects and policies, including no new funds for Obamacare. I strongly encourage the Senate to pass this budget so that certainty can be restored to our economy and the fight to give our children and grandchildren a debt-free future can continue.

"I am especially pleased that today's legislation included a specific policy provision banning funds for the dangerous Arms Trade Treaty. While the provision does not go quite as far as it should to thwart the ATT's impact on our sovereignty, it does codify Congress and the American people's rightful opposition to this treaty into law -- the second such victory in two months."

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