Congressman Veasey Statement on FY 2018 GOP 8-Bill Appropriations Package

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement after H.R. 3354, FY18 "Make America Secure and Prosperous Act," an eight bill appropriations package to fund federal agencies, passed by a 211-198 vote:

"Congress is responsible for ensuring that the crucial programs that Americans rely on to help feed their families, access crucial health services like birth control, and learn new skills to gain employment are funded at responsible levels. Despite claiming to "Make America Secure and Prosperous," this appropriations package fails to meet that goal.

This year's appropriations package includes numerous anti-women's health poison pill amendments. From gutting sex education funding in our schools to blocking basic preventative healthcare services, this appropriations package offered by the House Republican leadership is an immoral political game that gambles with the future of women and children.

As written, the appropriations package will completely gut the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP) in order to fund an abstinence only program. Evidence has shown time and time again that comprehensive sex education works to drop the teen pregnancy rate in our nation. With Texas still ranking as one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the nation, our children have a lot to lose. In addition, House Republicans continue their crusade to attack Planned Parenthood.

Most importantly, this bill does nothing to increase good-paying job opportunities for Americans. Despite the fact that Employment Service grants helped nearly six million unemployed workers find jobs in 2015, this bill chooses to eliminate the program completely. It goes on to slash millions of dollars aimed at helping dislocated workers after natural disasters and completely terminates Registered Apprenticeship grants, which connect job seekers with good-paying employers looking to fill critical roles. The bill also and severely underfunds other apprenticeship programs that help Americans find work.

House Republicans chose to include highly partisan measures that do little to help middle class and working families. The American people deserve a government that provides them with the resources they need to build a better life – this appropriations package does not meet that mark."