By Congresswoman Gwen Moore
Gwen Moore
This week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI- 04) voted in support of the omnibus appropriations bill that provides $1.1 trillion in funding for the 2014 fiscal year.
She released this statement:
“Our government cannot continue to operate from one manufactured crisis to the next.
Although the omnibus does not restore pre-sequester funding for every program, it offers significant relief to many of our domestic investments that were compromised when the across-the-board spending cuts went into effect.
Sequestration caused approximately 57,000 would-be Head Start students to lose this vital educational support.
Due to a 5.27 percent cut, Head Start programs throughout Wisconsin were forced to deny admittance to 822 children and reduce their service by 18,758 days at center-based facilities.
I am very pleased that Head Start will have its funding restored, totaling nearly $1 billion over its current funding level.
In addition, our federal TRIO programs will receive almost 95 percent of their pre-sequester level funding.
I strongly support the funding in this bill reserved for some of our most vital education programs.
“However, I am not satisfied with every aspect of this bill, such as reduced funding for the National Institutes of Health (when compared to the pre-sequester level) as well as some negative environmental and health care compromises.
Despite these concerns, I supported the omnibus as it represents bipartisan compromise and helps us avoid the threat of a government shutdown for the remainder of the fiscal year.
“The American people have had enough of Congressional dysfunction and gridlock.
I join them in this sentiment.
I urge my colleagues to continue this spirit by working together to extend emergency unemployment benefits, improve our economy and help families rise out of poverty.”
The 2014 omnibus appropriations bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 359 to 67.
The legislation is expected to pass the Senate.