Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. David B. McKinley (R-WV) voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 (H.R. 3547) which funds the Federal Government through the end of September 2014.

“This is not a perfect bill but it’s good for rural America and avoids another government shutdown,” said Rep. McKinley. “Spending is lower than when President Obama took office so we’re making progress, but there’s still a lot more to be done.”

“Adopting a budget for the first time since the President took office puts spending priorities back in the control of Congress rather than at the discretion of the President,” added McKinley. “Congress can now focus on rooting out government waste and abuse and meet our priority of cutting the deficit.”

Some of the Highlights of the Funding Bill Benefitting the First District:

• No new funding for Obamacare (Affordable Care Act); reduces “slush funds” by $1 billion; and cuts $10 billion in funding for the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) created by Obamacare.

• Provides an additional $132 million for fossil fuel research and development at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Morgantown.

• Reduces EPA funding by $2.1 billion by scaling back regulatory overreach while enhancing oversight on climate change programs and the mining permit process.

• Includes a military retiree pension “fix” to ensure disabled veterans and surviving families receive the full benefits they are due.

• Increases funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) by $12 million.

• Provides over $3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).

• Prevents the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corp. from prohibiting funding for international coal plant projects.

“After voting against the budget proposal in December, the Committee listened to our objections and reworked this bill making it more acceptable,” said McKinley. “Now it provides needed funds for areas like the First District and makes targeted cuts to broken programs. This proves Congress can come together to get the work done the American public elected us to do.”