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McCaul Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Appropriations Package

December 17, 2019

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following statement after the passage of the bipartisan 2020 Appropriations Package, which included increased funding to defeat childhood cancer, funding to improve community safety and the repeal of taxes that will help lower health care costs. In addition, multiple Foreign Affairs priorities such as the Global Fragility Act and Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act were included in the end of year spending package.

"I voted in favor of the bipartisan FY20 appropriations bill that keeps our government open, maintains our military readiness, and prioritizes the safety of our communities and furthering childhood cancer research.

America on the global stage

"Over the course of this fiscal year, the House Foreign Affairs Committee has worked in a bipartisan fashion to advance our shared priorities, many of which were included in the legislation passed today. I am especially pleased that the Global Fragility Act, bipartisan legislation I championed with Chairman Eliot Engel, is part of the final appropriations agreement. This important legislation will rightly focus America's efforts on preventing the root causes of violence and instability in fragile regions around the world.

"The bill also includes my Championing American Business through Diplomacy Act, which promotes American economic interests abroad and counters China's predatory Belt and Road initiative in developing nations. Creating more international opportunities for American business engagement will help push back on China's growing influence across the globe.

Securing our digital apparatus

"My DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act, also included in the final package, will better prepare our nation to face a new era of digital warfare. This bill will establish flyaway teams to help prevent but also respond to cyber-attacks.

The fight against childhood cancer

"Sadly, over 15,000 children are in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. Programs created by my piece of the legislation, the STAR Act, will receive full funding of $30 million. In addition, this bill includes $50 million towards a new Childhood Cancer Data Initiative at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that was part of the $500 million initiative to end childhood cancer that President Trump announced during his 2019 State of the Union Address. In total, the NCI will receive $6.4 billion in funding to eradicate cancer in the U.S.

Repealing harmful health care taxes

"This bill also includes measures that will reduce healthcare prices and help the American consumer by removing the Cadillac tax on middle class health care plans, the 2.3% tax on medical devices, and the Health Insurer tax.

Protecting our communities

"Finally, law enforcement, teachers, and first responders will have better access to training programs to better help those who live with mental illness. These two different programs, enhanced by my Community Safety Act, will receive $25 million in funding.

"The final appropriations agreement is a bipartisan product that prioritizes American leadership abroad and I am proud to have supported it today."

The package now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Congressman Michael T. McCaul represents the 10th District of Texas. Currently, he serves as the Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as the Chairman Emeritus on the House Committee on Homeland Security.