Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the FY18 Omnibus, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 256 to 167.  Voting in support of the Omnibus, Congressman Nadler applauded the progress made in funding critical non-defense domestic priorities, such as the Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS program, critical infrastructure projects across the country, and new investment in science, research, and the arts.  Congressman Nadler also expressed disappointment at the missed opportunities in the bill, including a permanent solution for Dreamers and the lack of any provisions to protect the Special Counsel investigation.

Below is Rep. Nadler’s full statement:

“The FY18 Omnibus, though not a perfect bill, provides much-needed funding increases to critical non-defense domestic programs and ends the damaging cycle of continuing resolutions that has made it difficult for our government to function. On nearly every Democratic priority, this bill provides additional funding to meet critical needs.

“I am relieved the Omnibus will provide $375 million for Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA), the funding level I requested in an amendment that passed on the House floor. HOPWA is a critical program that has a proven record of providing supportive housing and improving the health and well-being of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Yet under a new funding formula, many cities were at risk of losing funding this year. This $19 million increase will ensure that no jurisdiction loses funding, and no individual loses housing, this year. Public housing receives a critical funding increase that will ensure millions of Americans remain in their homes and that no Housing Choice Vouchers are lost. The bill also includes $808 million in new funding for the Public Housing Capital Fund and an $85 million increase for Lead Hazard Control to ensure that families are living in safe, healthy homes.

“The Omnibus significantly increases investment in transportation and infrastructure, including an increase in highway and transit formula programs. The bill provides $1 billion in new funding for National Infrastructure Investment (TIGER) grants and $232 million in new funding for subway, light rail, and commuter rail systems critical to New York City and the region. The bill also provides nearly $450 million in new funding for Amtrak. A portion of the additional funding in this bill could be used for The Gateway Project, which is even more critical after the existing Hudson River tunnels were damaged in Superstorm Sandy. After several disastrous hurricane seasons, new Pre-Disaster Mitigation funds will improve resiliency and help jurisdictions better prepare for natural disasters. The bill also provides a $40 million increase for the State Homeland Security Grant Program and a $25 million increase for the Urban Area Security Initiative, which includes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

“But beyond infrastructure, the increased funding will invest in sciences, research, and the arts. The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities each receive a slight funding increase to ensure that American arts and culture continue to flourish in every district in the country, and the continued funding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will ensure that high-quality, local news and information is available to everyone. The bill also invests in science and research, through a $3 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health, nearly $300 million in new funds for the National Science Foundation, and $1 billion in new funds for NASA.  

“The bill also provides critical funding for programs on which families in my district and around the country rely. The Child Care Development Block Grant is funded at its highest level in history and Head Start receives an additional $610 million, ensuring that families will continue to have access to high quality, safe child care. The bill also provides a much-needed $305 million boost to Community Development Block Grants to help communities fund critical projects.

“LIHEAP, which helps seniors and low-income families afford heat, receives a $250 million increase in funds, and Community Health Centers will see $335 million in new discretionary and mandatory funds to continue providing low or no-cost health care to families who need it most. College will remain within reach for millions of students thanks to the additional $70 million for TRIO and GEARUP, increases in the maximum Pell Grant available to students, a $275 million increase in campus based student aid, and an increase in Public Service Loan Forgiveness of $350 million.  

“I was especially pleased to see many of the Republican’s most extreme anti-choice riders removed. Under this bill, Planned Parenthood will not lose federal funding. The prohibition on fetal tissue research has been removed, and Title X family planning funds are restored. Critically, the bill includes neither the Global Gag Rule, which prohibited federal funding for organizations that provide abortion or refer women to abortion providers, nor the harmful so-called “conscience protections,” which would have put women’s access to health care at risk. Similarly, the bill does not include any new riders to undermine the Affordable Care Act, though I am disappointed that more was not done to shore up the health insurance marketplaces.

“Despite these strong investments, there are missed opportunities in this bill. The problem with this bill is not what’s in it, but what has been left out. I am, once again, deeply disappointed that Republicans refuse to provide any relief to Dreamers. Despite Paul Ryan’s lip service, we have seen no action to back up his words. I continue to join my Democratic colleagues in calling for an immediate commitment from Speaker Ryan to bring a DACA fix to the floor as soon as possible. It is heartening to see that this bill blocks funding for many of the cruelest elements of Donald Trump’s immigration policies by providing no funding for new immigration officers and limits on the number of detention beds. The bill also provides no new funding for a “wall” along the Southern Border.

“Further, the bill does nothing to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The President is heightening his attacks on the Special Counsel just as Congress is preparing for a two-week recess. Congress must be prepared to protect Mr. Mueller and his critical work should the President take action against him.

“On balance, I support this bill because it makes critical investments in the programs and projects the Democrats have been fighting for and on which working families rely. I commend Ranking Member Lowey, her Democratic colleagues on the committee, and her staff for negotiating this bipartisan compromise legislation.”

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