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McCaul Statement on Passage of FY 2014 Appropriations Bill

January 15, 2014

McCaul Statement on Passage of FY 2014 Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - Following passage of the 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act, HR 3547, Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), who serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security released the following statement.

McCaul: “ "Today I voted for the discretionary spending bill for 2014 that reduces overall spending by $21.4 billion compared to the sequester spending level from last year. This funding bill continues to turn the tide toward reducing our debt, which began when Republicans took control of the House four years ago. Since 2010, Republicans have reduced discretionary spending by $165 billion, and I will continue to push for reforms to our entitlement programs where the greatest savings potential exists. In addition to reduced spending, I supported this legislation because it also exempts medically retired personnel and survivor benefit plan recipients from having their cost of living adjustments temporarily reduced and most importantly, this legislation provides relief from the sequester cuts for the Department of Defense while also giving a pay raise for our troops. The relief from the sequester cuts will allow us to maintain a strong national security apparatus and and it ensures our military readiness will be preserved. This legislation also provides for the largest Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operational force to date. The 21,370 Border Patrol agents and 24,800 CBP officers along with the 34,000 detention beds this bill funds will be an integral part of securing our border with Mexico. A fully funded E-Verify program will also help companies ensure their employees are legally allowed to work in the U.S. Finally, passage of this bill ensures that ObamaCare spending will be frozen at sequester levels while we continue efforts to repeal and replace it, and that $1 billion will be removed from the ObamaCare slush fund."

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