WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) issued the following statement on his YES vote on the fiscal year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, H.R. 244:

“Today’s bipartisan vote is welcome news for the American people. I’ve been fighting to avoid a costly and reckless government shutdown, and today I voted for a bill that provides jobs, opportunity and security for South Jersey’s families.

“This agreement will grow jobs by increasing funding for key infrastructure projects like modernizing our electric grid and keeping key transportation systems like Amtrak safe. Plus, it strongly supports South Jersey’s growing higher education and medical research hub, and students will again have access to year-round Pell Grants.

“Importantly, bill provides significant resources to fight the opioid epidemic, which is sadly impacting too many New Jersey families. And it funds smart security priorities that will actually keep us more secure, instead of misguided proposals like a border wall.

“South Jersey’s families can continue to rely on critical preventative health care in their community because Republican leaders dropped their demand to defund Planned Parenthood.

“While not the perfect budget, this spending bill is a great compromise that has many benefits for our country, our state and our area.”

Job Growth

Rep. Norcross came to Congress to fight for hard-working American families and is a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

This bill provides $100 million for Economic Development Assistance Programs and $6.0 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers – an increase of $49 million – including for projects to make our ports and waterways more functional. $230 million has been allocated to modernize the electric grid and $1.5 billion is going to Amtrak – which is $105 million more than last year. Plus, $500 million was allocated for transportation projects to improve our roads, bridges, transit systems, rails and ports.

Educational Opportunities

Rep. Norcross finds it encouraging that the funding bill also helps us grow our future workforce by prioritizing education, trainings and community building.

The bill restores students' access to year-round Pell Grants and gives the Job Corps program a $15 million boost. The National Science Foundation is receiving $7.47 billion, so necessary STEM education grants continue, like the recent $1.2 million award that will help South Jersey build a 21^st century workforce. And the legislation is good for community revitalization programs, like Choice Neighborhoods, which is receiving $12.5 million more than last year.

Security Spending

Rep. Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and is committed to strengthening America’s national security.

The omnibus contains smart security funding; there’s $1.5 billion for border security that will repair existing infrastructure and invest in new technologies – and funding will not go to constructing a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill also allocates over $600 million for the Israeli Missile Defense Cooperative program, which is an important part of our strategy in the Middle East.

The Opioid Epidemic

Rep. Norcross is a member of the bipartisan Heroin Task Force and is pleased there are a variety of funds in the omnibus that will go toward fighting our country’s opioid epidemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will get $112 million – $42 million more than last year – for the prevention of prescription drug overdoses. The bill also provides $13.6 million for surveillance of fatal and nonfatal overdoses – which is more than double previous funding levels. The Justice Department will also receive $160.5 million to help States and local communities and the Department of Health and Human Services is getting $56 million to expand access to drug treatment services. The bill also includes $20 for grant and pilot programs that will help communities fight the epidemic.

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov