Bonamici Supports Bipartisan Government Funding Bill Avoiding Shutdown

Congresswoman Expresses Serious Concerns about Crude Export Ban, Other Provisions

WASHINGTON, DC [12/18/15] – Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) voted for the bipartisan bill to fund the federal government through September 2016:

“Americans deserve the certainty of knowing their government will be funded and open tomorrow, next week, and next month. This bipartisan agreement to fund the federal government makes improved investments in housing, education, research, infrastructure, and arts programs. Important safety investments in the Scoggins Dam and support for renewable energy industries are also included in the final bill.

“The bill also includes additional funding for the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution programs and the National Institutes of Health. It also increases funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including a new oceans program that will help coastal states.

“Furthermore, the bill does not include many dangerous policy riders that would harm the environment, impede Americans’ retirement security, and deny access to health services for women.

“Although I support the many worthy provisions in the bill, I was deeply disappointed with the inclusion of language lifting the ban on exporting crude oil. Ending the ban threatens our country’s progress toward reducing carbon emissions and achieving energy independence. I will continue fighting for legislation to repeal subsidies that support our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, and I will closely monitor the effects of the end of the ban on exports.

“I am also concerned with contentious cybersecurity provisions that were included in a must-pass bill without a thorough and thoughtful process that the American people deserve when considering legislation that could affect personal privacy. We must keep our country safe, but we can and must do so without sacrificing the right to privacy. I will closely monitor those cybersecurity provisions as well.

“Overall, the funding bill passed today makes strong investments in areas that will create jobs and grow the economy. We cannot continue to govern our country by moving from one crisis to the next. Although it is far from perfect, today’s bill gives Americans the certainty that we will not face another devastating government shutdown.”

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