Pittenger: Congress Votes to Strengthen America

Press Release

This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger joined a strong bipartisan majority to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act (omnibus spending bill).

"Today, Congress worked together to responsibly fund the government, strengthen national security, and help grow the economy and create jobs," said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09). "No, this bill isn't perfect. No bill is perfect. But this bill strengthens America and brings to a close the era of governing by crisis."

The Consolidated Appropriations Act includes several of Congressman Pittenger's priorities:

TERRORISM: Included Congressman Pittenger's initiative to significantly strengthen security in the Visa Waiver program, making it more difficult for terrorists to slip into the U.S. undetected.

NATIONAL SECURITY: Reversed President Obama's potentially dangerous cuts to defense spending and readiness.

OIL EXPORTS: Lifts the 1975 ban on oil exports, which experts predict will create 1 million new jobs. There are also enormous geopolitical implications, as many American allies are currently at the mercy of adversarial states like Russia for energy supplies.

OBAMACARE: Stopped taxpayer funded bailouts of health insurance companies under Obamacare. As part of Thursday's separate tax legislation, Obamacare's "Cadillac tax" and Medical Device Tax were also delayed by two years.

VETERANS: Speeds up VA claims processing, prioritizes the modernization of VA's electronic records system, ensures veterans receive the health benefits they deserve.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a strong bipartisan vote of 316-113.

Source