Meng Statement on the Omnibus Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on the Omnibus Appropriations bill that was unveiled today.

"After last week's short-term Continuing Resolution, I'm pleased Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement on a government spending bill, which includes my requested increase of $300,000 for the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. This increase will allow the Center to hire three additional staff members and to continue to serve as the leading voice on the Asian Pacific American experience, as well as host events in cities across the country.

The spending bill provides no funding for President Trump's border wall with Mexico and does not cut funding to Planned Parenthood or sanctuary cities.

As a New York member of the House Appropriations Committee, it's important to me that the bill reimburses New York City for the costs associated with protecting President Trump and the First Family. These costs for the security of Trump Tower should be paid for by the federal government. It should not be on the back of New York taxpayers nor should it further strain our needed police resources. I thank the mayor for noting my work on this effort."

In addition, the Omnibus bill permanently extends retired health benefits for miners, provides $2 billion to the National Institutes of Health, and reinstates year-round Pell grants.

Though this bill is not perfect, the American people deserve better than the alternatives of another stopgap funding measure or a government shutdown. I hope this spending bill is a sign that future negotiations will be possible as we begin funding discussions for the next fiscal year."

Congress is expected to approve the Omnibus bill this week.