Capitol Connection E-Newsletter
Washington,
Jan 16 -
Congressman Miller Votes to Fund Government Through FY 2014
This week I voted in support of H.R. 3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014. This bill will fund the government for the next fiscal year, supporting families, veterans, students and workers, and creating the certainty small businesses need to help grow the Inland Empire economy.
While the bill is far from perfect, it is important for our nation’s economic prosperity that Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement to fund the government without further delay or threat of shutdown. During the annual appropriations cycle, I have always sought to ensure vital government programs receive adequate funding, while eliminating wasteful, unnecessary, or duplicative spending. This year, we were able to cut total discretionary spending for the fourth year in a row. This has not happened since the Korean War. The bill provides $1.012 trillion in discretionary funding for the operations of the federal government, and is within the guidelines of the budget agreement.
H.R. 3547 funds important programs to support Inland Empire residents in need. Highlights include:
• Nutrition Programs. The bill includes funding for vital nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Nutrition Program. The bill also increases funding for elderly nutrition programs, including the Home-Delivered Meals (“Meals on Wheels”) program.
• Military Families and Veterans. H.R. 3547 includes funding for key military infrastructure projects to support our troops and their families at home and abroad. The bill reduces the claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and restores cost of living adjustments in the benefits of deceased veterans’ survivors and medically retired veterans. The bill also provides funds for the Transition Assistance Program to help new veterans receive training for civilian employment and job search assistance.
• Education and Training Programs. The bill includes increased funding for local school districts to help children become proficient in reading and math and grants to improve school safety. For college students, the bill increases the maximum Pell Grant award and the total number of grants available. For displaced workers, the bill provides increased funding for Workforce Investment Act grants to states for job training and assistance.
• Infrastructure Investments in the Inland Empire. H.R. 3547 includes $19 million for the WaterSmart Grant Program, which provides funding for projects that save water, improve efficiency, and facilitate transfers to new uses. A number of Inland Empire water agencies have received funding through the WaterSmart Grant program in the past. The bill also provides $42 million for the continued construction of the Santa Ana River Mainstem flood control project. This project provides critical flood protection throughout Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange Counties.
• Savings and Oversight of Tax Dollars. The bill includes program cuts and oversight provisions to ensure the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Some of these items include: extensive reporting requirements for the IRS; no funding for three new DHS headquarters buildings; new oversight and monitoring requirements to weed out waste and abuse in nutrition programs; and a pay freeze for the Vice President and senior political appointees.
U. S. Naval Academy Opportunities
Each year, I have the privilege of nominating qualified students to the U.S. Military Service Academies; U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. The Naval Academy is inviting potential students to participate in two 2014 summer programs. The U. S. Naval Academy is accepting applications for the Summer STEM program designed for rising 8th–11th graders who are interested in pursuing education in the science, technology, engineering and math fields as well as The Summer Seminar program, designed for rising 12th graders to give students the opportunity to find out if they have what it takes to be a midshipmen or midshipwomen. The program allows students to experience the rigorous academics, physical challenges and student life at the Naval Academy. These institutions prepare college-age Americans to be officers of the United States armed services. For more information or to RSVP for the Naval Academy Summer Programs visit www.usna.edu/Admissions under “summer programs informational pamphlet”. If you are interested in attending one of the Service Academies for the graduating class of 2019, please contact Patricia Fabio at the Rancho Cucamonga District Office at (909) 980-1492.
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