December 16, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a funding bill that includes three legislative initiatives spearheaded by Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04).  The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, H.R. 2055, contains the nine remaining bills to fund federal government operations through 2012.  Upon signing by the president, Congressman Altmire will have 27 legislative initiatives signed into law, including nine directly related to veterans and military families.

"This important package funds federal government operations for the remainder of FY 2012 and includes important measures to support our veterans, secure our border and preserve irreplaceable documents at the Library of Congress," Congressman Altmire said.  "Congress has spent the last year funding the federal government on a short-term basis.  That approach is damaging to our already fragile economy, and it is my hope that we can continue down this road of compromise in the coming year."

Included in the final appropriations bill were Congressman Altmire's amendments to:

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Bill
  
  
  • In June, Congressmen Altmire and Ted Poe (TX-02) introduced an amendment to move $10 million from the Office of the Under Secretary for Management of DHS to the Border Security, Fencing, Infrastructure and Technology account to improve the mobile communications between Border Patrol, law enforcement and residents.     
          
• The Military Construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Bill
  
  
  • Congressman Altmire's amendment improves veterans' access to quality prosthetics by restoring funding that directly impacts treatment of amputees and other wounded veterans by simply moving $22 million from VA General Administration to Medical and Prosthetic Research.  The program was originally expected to be cut by $72 million.  Congressman Altmire asked to increase funding for the program to $530 million, and the final bill appropriated $581 million to support veteran amputees.  For more information, please click here.