2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Defense, Labor, HHS, Education
Conference Report Appropriations Bill Which Also Included A Continuing
Resolution For The Other Federal Spending Bills Through December 7,
2018. In September 2018, Fitzpatrick voted for an FY 2019
appropriations bill and continuing resolution. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The agreement provides FY 2019 appropriations
for two annual spending measures --- Defense and Labor-HHS-Education ---
as well as a continuing resolution to keep all federal departments and
agencies operating through Dec. 7 if they don't have full-year
appropriations enacted. Together, the two spending bills provide a total
of $784.5 billion in discretionary spending subject to budget caps, 63%
of the $1.244 trillion limit for FY 2019. It provides $674.4 billion
in net discretionary funding for the Defense Department ($19.8 billion
more than FY 2018 but $1.1 billion less than requested), including
$606.5 billion in base discretionary funding ($17.0 billion more than
FY 2018) and $67.9 billion in OCO funding. For Labor-HHS-Education it
provides $180 billion in discretionary spending, including $178.1
billion subject to budget caps and $1.9 billion in program integrity
funding --- $977 million more than comparable FY 2018 funding and
$10.7 billion more than requested." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 361 to 61. The president later signed the
bill into law. [House Vote 405,
9/26/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/25/18; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
6157]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Omnibus Spending Proposal Preventing
Another Government Shutdown. In February 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for
the FY 2019 consolidated appropriations bill. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "This Conference Summary describes the agreement on H J Res
31, Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2019, which provides
detailed, full-year funding for all seven remaining FY 2019 spending
bills ---thereby completing the FY 2019 appropriations process. The
centerpiece, Homeland Security, provides $1.375 billion for new and
replacement barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico, including 55
miles of new fencing, along with an increase of $1.5 billion in other
border security funding --- such as for new technology at ports of entry
and additional Customs officers. Outside of the Homeland bill, it
includes another $1.6 billion for border security, as well as a 1.9%
pay increase for federal civilian employees." The vote was on passage.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 300 to 128. The bill was later
signed into law by the president. [House Vote 87,
2/14/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/14/19; Congressional
Actions, H. J. Res.
31]
The Government Had Been Shutdown For Weeks Over Border Wall
Funding; This Bill Prevented Another. According to Politico,
"Three weeks after the longest shutdown in U.S. history, the House
and Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to fund roughly
one-quarter of the federal government through Sept. 30, while
providing only a fraction of the funds for a border barrier that
Trump demanded." [Politico,
2/14/19]
President Trump Demanded $5.7 Billion For Wall Funding, But The
Bill Only Provided $1.375 Billion For New And Replacement
Barriers. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The centerpiece,
Homeland Security, provides $1.375 billion for new and replacement
barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico, including 55 miles of
new fencing, along with an increase of $1.5 billion in other border
security funding --- such as for new technology at ports of entry
and additional Customs officers. Outside of the Homeland bill, it
includes another $1.6 billion for border security, as well as a
1.9% pay increase for federal civilian employees. President Trump,
who wanted $5.7 billion for 234 miles of new border 'wall,' has not
yet decided whether he will sign the agreement, according to White
House staff." [Congressional Quarterly,
2/14/19]
After Signing The Bill, Trump Signed An Emergency Declaration
Bypassing Congress To Fund The Wall. According to the Washington
Post, "President Trump on Friday declared the situation on the
southern border of the United States to be a national emergency,
catapulting the country into uncertain legal and political battles
as he seeks to fulfill a campaign promise that eluded him for two
years. He made the designation in an attempt to redirect taxpayer
money from other accounts and use it to erect more than 230 miles of
barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. But Trump anticipates a
flurry of legal challenges that will eventually be decided by the
Supreme Court." [Washington Post,
2/15/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted To Express The Sense Of The House That
Government Shutdowns Cause Substantial Damage To Federal Employees,
Americans Overall, The U.S. Economy, And That Shutting The Government
Shutdown Is An Unacceptable Strategy. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for a resolution that, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"express[ed] the sense of the House of Representatives that government
shutdowns cause substantial damage to federal employees, to Americans
generally who benefit from government services, to the U.S. economy and
to the nation's reputation and state that shutting down the U.S.
government 'is not an acceptable tactic or strategy' for resolving
policy differences." The vote was on a motion to suspend the rules and
pass the bill, which required 275 votes in this case to pass. The House
rejected the motion by a vote of 249 to 163. [House Vote 65,
1/30/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/30/19; Congressional
Actions, H. Res.
79]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For A CR That Would Have Extended DHS Funding
Through The End Of February, 2019, Thus Re-Opening DHS; Bill Did Not
Provide Funding For Trump's Wall. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick voted
for legislation that would have, according to The Hill, "The House on
Thursday passed a Democratic-backed bill to provide funding for the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Feb. 28. The bill passed
in a 231-180 vote, with five Republicans joining Democrats in voting for
the measure. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) was the lone Democrat
to vote against it. The bill is not expected to see any movement in the
upper chamber. The legislation --- introduced by House Homeland Security
Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman-designate Lucille Roybal-Allard
(D-Calif.) --- would provide no new funding for President Trump's
proposed border wall. Democrats have brought up a series of clean
funding bills in an attempt to place pressure on GOP lawmakers to break
with the administration in their demand for funding for a barrier along
the U.S.-Mexico border." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 231 to 180. [House Vote 51,
1/24/19; The Hill,
1/24/19;
Congressional Actions, H. J. Res.
31]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For A Continuing Appropriations Bill For All
But Homeland Security That Would End That Partial Government Shutdown.
In January 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $271.8 billion for full-year
fiscal 2019 funding for six of the seven spending bills that reached a
conference agreement, but that lack enacted appropriations (all except
Homeland Security) and would [have] extend[ed] authorization for
several expiring programs including the National Flood Insurance Program
and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families." The vote was on a
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 180. [House Vote
49, 1/23/19;
Congressional Quarterly, 1/23/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
648]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For A Continuing Resolution That Ended The
Partial Shutdown By Funding The Government Through February 28th,
2019. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "ma[d]e further continuing appropriations for
fiscal 2019 through Feb. 28, 2019." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 229 to 184. The bill was amended in the
Senate and later signed by President Trump into law. [House Vote 46,
1/23/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/23/19; Congressional
Actions, H. J. Res.
28]
The Stopgap Bill Funded The Federal Government For Three Weeks
Without The Border Wall Funding That President Trump Was Demanding
And Provided Temporary Relief To Federal Workers Who Had Not Been
Paid During The 35-Day Government Shutdown. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "President Donald Trump signed a stopgap
spending bill without money he had demanded for a border wall Friday
night, setting the stage to reopen government agencies that have
been closed for 35 days. The continuing resolution (H J Res 28)
would fund the government for three weeks while a House-Senate
conference committee negotiates a border security package with the
White House. It provides at least a temporary reprieve to federal
workers who haven't been paid in nearly a month." [Congressional
Quarterly, 1/25/19]
The Final Version Of The Stopgap Bill Funded The Government
Through February 15, 2019. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"'In a short while, I will sign a bill to reopen the government for
three weeks, through Feb. 15,' Trump said in an afternoon appearance
in the White House Rose Garden." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/25/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For A Bill That Extended Government Funding
Via A CR Through February 8, 2019 And Provided $12.1 Billion In
Supplemental Disaster Funds For Hurricanes, Wildfires, Earthquakes And
Other Natural Disasters In 2017 And 2018. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for a CR and disaster supplemental bill. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of the bill that would provide
continuing appropriations for operations of the federal government at
current funding levels through Feb. 8, 2019. Additionally, the bill
provides $12.1 billion in supplemental disaster funds for response
efforts to damage caused by hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other
natural disasters that occurred in 2017 and 2018. The bill includes a
total of $2.7 billion for Agriculture Department disaster-related
activities, including $1.1 billion for crop (including milk), tree,
bush, vine, and livestock losses from 2018 hurricanes, wildfires and
other declared disasters. The bill provides $1.16 billion for the
Housing and Urban Development Department's Community Development Block
Grants-Disaster Recovery Program, and $1.7 billion for Transportation
Department programs and activities, including $1.65 billion for the
cost of federal highway and bridge repairs. It provides $1.46 billion
to the Defense Department to repair military facilities damaged by
hurricanes Florence and Michael, primarily for repairing damage to
military facilities in the Carolinas and Florida. As amended, the bill
would prohibit funds provided in the bill for the Army Corps of
Engineers or the Homeland Security Department from being used to
construct a 'new physical barrier' along the southwest border of the
U.S. Also as amended, the bill would permit the use of emergency funds
provided to the Agriculture Department for 2018 crop losses to be used
to cover harvested wine grapes that were found to have been tainted by
smoke from wildfires." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 237 to 187. [House Vote 39,
1/16/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/16/19; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
268]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit The Army Corps Of Engineers Or DHS
Funds From Being Used To Construct Trump's Wall. In January 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment that would have, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "provided by the bill for the Army Corps of
Engineers or the Homeland Security Department from being used to
construct a 'new physical barrier' along the southwest border of the
U.S." The underlying bill was an FY 2019 disaster relief supplemental
appropriations bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 230 to
197. The House later passed the underlying bill. [House Vote 37,
1/16/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/16/19; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
3;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
268]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For A Continuing Resolution That Would Re-Open
The Government Through February 1, 2019. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for a bill that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "make
further continuing appropriations for fiscal 2019 through Feb. 1, 2019."
The vote was on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill,
requiring 283 votes for passage. The House rejected the motion by a vote
of 237 to 187. [House Vote 31,
1/15/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/15/19; Congressional
Actions, H. J. Res.
27]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Interior And The Environment
Appropriations Bill That Would Have Ended A Portion Of The Partial
Government Shutdown While Also Not Funding Trump's Wall. In January
2019, Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that would have, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $35.9 billion in fiscal 2019 for
the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and
related agencies. The bill would [have] provide[d] $8.8 billion for
the EPA, including $3.6 billion for state and tribal assistance grants
and $1.1 billion for hazardous substance superfund activities; it would
also [have] require[d] that $5.2 million of EPA funding be used to
study algal blooms. The bill would [have] provide[d] $13.2 billion
for the Interior Department, including $3.2 billion for the National
Park Service, $1.3 billion for the Bureau of Land Management, $1.6
billion for the Fish and Wildlife Service, and $5.8 billion for the
Indian Health Service. It would also [have] provide[d] $6.3 billion
for the Forest Service, and provide a total of $4.3 billion for Forest
Service and Interior Department wildfire activities." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 240 to 179. [House Vote
27, 1/11/19;
Congressional Quarterly, 1/10/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
266]
Over ¾ Of Interior Department Staffers Have Been Furloughed, With
Reported Significant Impacts At The National Parks. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "For the Interior Department, 76% of its
staff has been furloughed, which according to news reports has
resulted in many national parks being left ungated and largely
unsupervised, and museums and zoos closed --- including the National
Gallery of Art, all 19 Smithsonian museums, and the National Zoo.
And while the gates at many park sites remain open, few if any staff
are on hand to protect visitors and park resources and many visitor
centers and restrooms remained locked, while many roads closed due
to weather can't be cleared." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
Joshua Tree National Park, For Example, Had Illegal Campsites Set
Up And Trees Cut Down. According to CNN, "There are two kinds of
people in this world: Those who take it upon themselves to go to
understaffed national parks to keep them clean during the government
shutdown, and then those who set up illegal campsites and cut down
Joshua trees in the national park of the same name. Pictures shared
by the National Park Service and the nonprofit news organization
National Parks Traveler show a downed tree and illegal campsites in
California's Joshua Tree National Park." [CNN,
1/12/19]
Legislation Appropriated $3.2 Billion For The National Park
Service, $16 Million More Than FY 2018. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The measure provides $3.2 billion for the
National Park Service --- $16 million (0.5%) more than FY 2018 and
$517 million (19%) more than the request. The vast majority, $2.5
billion, is for operation and maintenance of national parks, $22
million (1%) more than FY 2018 and $75 million (3%) more than
requested. Included in that amount is $825 million for facility
operations and maintenance ($15 million more than FY 2018 and $43
million more than requested), and $548 million for park support
($12 million more than FY 2018 and $42 million more than
requested)." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To
The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. "According to Democratic
appropriators, the spending bills being considered this week are
virtually identical to the versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6
vote, except for 'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping
changes' --- with the only substantial changes being that each bill
now also includes provisions to retroactively pay federal workers
who were furloughed during the partial shutdown." [Congressional
Quarterly, 1/8/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Agriculture Appropriations Bill
That Would Have Ended A Portion Of The Partial Government Shutdown While
Also Not Funding Trump's Wall. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for
a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"provide[d] $145.4 billion in fiscal 2019 for the Agriculture
Department and related agencies, including $23.2 billion in
discretionary funding. The bill would [have] provide[d] $5.4
billion for the Food and Drug Administration, $3.8 billion for
Agriculture Department rural development activities, and $2.7 billion
for agricultural research programs. It would [have] reauthorize[d]
the federal crop insurance program and authorize loan levels for federal
loans related to farming and rural development. It would [have]
provide[d] $102.6 billion for domestic food programs, including
$73.2 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, $23.2
billion for child nutrition programs, and $6.2 billion for the Women,
Infants, and Children program." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 243 to 183. [House Vote 25,
1/10/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/10/19; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
265]
If The Government Shutdown Continues Past January, There Would Be
Significant Delays In Admitting New SNAP Enrollees. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The most profound impact, however, may
soon occur on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP,
or food stamps) if the government fails to reopen by February.
Although SNAP is automatically renewed, it requires annual funding
through appropriations bills, and existing funding will run out at
the end of January. And even if SNAP contingency funding remains
available, that amount would cover less than two-thirds of the
program's cost in February. In addition, individuals seeking to
newly register for SNAP are seeing delays in accessing those
benefits because 95% of the office that administers the program has
been furloughed, and local grocery stores where SNAP benefits are
spent are expected to experience a loss of revenue." [Congressional
Quarterly, 1/8/19]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To
The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "According to Democratic appropriators, the spending
bills being considered this week are virtually identical to the
versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote, except for
'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping changes' --- with
the only substantial changes being that each bill now also includes
provisions to retroactively pay federal workers who were furloughed
during the partial shutdown." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
Legislation Provides $8 Billion In Overall Farm Loans, About
$400 Million More Than Requested. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The Farm Service Agency, using the Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund, offers a variety of loans to farmers, including
farm-operating, farm ownership, American Indian tribal land
acquisition and boll weevil eradication loans. The bill provides for
provides $85 million in upfront subsidies and grants to support an
overall loan level of $8.0 billion, $400 million (5%) more than
requested. The vast majority (44%) of the overall loan level for FY
2019 would go toward farm-operating loans, which help farmers pay
for essential expenses such as the purchase of livestock, equipment
and seed, and farm ownership loans that help farmers acquire,
enlarge or develop their lands. Specifically, the measure sets a
total loan level of $3.5 billion for farm-operating loans,
including $2.0 billion in unsubsidized guaranteed loans (equal to
FY 2018 but $360 million more than requested) and $1.5 billion in
direct loans (equal to FY 2018 but $30 million more than
requested). For farm ownership loans, the loan level is set at $4.3
billion, including $2.8 billion in guaranteed loans (equal to both
FY 2018 and the request) and $1.5 billion in direct loans (equal to
both FY 2018 and the request)." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
Legislation Provides Nearly $900 Million For Operating And
Administration For The Natural Resources Conversation Service's
Conservation Programs. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
Agriculture Department administers a number of conservation programs
that help private landowners reduce erosion, improve soil and water
quality and quantity, improve and conserve wetlands, and enhance
fish and wildlife habitat. Most of these programs receive mandatory
funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The measure
provides $879.1 million for operating and administering the Natural
Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) conservation programs,
according to Democratic appropriators --- $5 million more than FY
2018 and $210 million more than requested. It rejects
administration proposals to end funding for the watershed flood and
prevention programs, appropriating $150 million (equal to FY 2018).
However, as requested, the bill provides no funding for the
watershed rehabilitation program, which received $10 million in FY
2018." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
Legislation Funded The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Which
Provides Crop Insurance Protection For American Farmers. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
is a government-owned entity, managed by the Agriculture
Department's Risk Management Agency, that provides crop insurance
protection to farmers and other agricultural entities. The measure
provides 'such sums as may be necessary' for the CCC and to carry
out the federal crop insurance program. Democratic appropriators did
not estimate the amounts that the bill would provide for those
activities. (The bill reported by Senate Appropriations estimated it
would provide the requested $15.4 billion for the CCC, 8% more than
FY 2018, to reimburse the CCC for expenditures incurred in previous
fiscal years to finance farm price supports, export promotion,
disposition of surplus commodities and other programs. It also
estimated the bill would provide $8.7 billion to carry out the
federal crop insurance program, 3% less than FY 2018.) The bill
appropriates $75 million for the Risk Management Agency to
administer the federal crop insurance program, equal to FY 2018 but
nearly double the request." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
Legislation Appropriated $1 Billion For The Animal And Plant
Health Inspection Services And $1 Billion For The Food Safety And
Inspection Service. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducts
inspection and quarantine activities to protect animals and plants
from diseases and pests. The bill provides $1.0 billion for APHIS
operations --- $18 million more than FY 2018 and $262 million more
than requested, according to Democratic appropriators. Within the
APHIS total, the bill recommends $333 million for animal health
activities, $342 million for plant health, $127 million for
wildlife services, $35 million for regulatory services, $42
million for emergency management, $38 million for safe trade, and
$32 million for animal welfare. The bill includes an $8 million
increase, to remain available until Sept. 30, 2020, to help states
and producers address the damaging effects of citrus greening
disease within the specialty crop pests program, was well as a
separate $7.5 million for one-time control and management related
to the multiple-agency response to citrus greening. It also provides
$12 million for the cotton pests program; $38 million for animal
health technical services; $63 million for avian health; $178
million for specialty crop pests; and $60 million for tree and wood
pests. [...] The bill provides $1.0 billion --- $8 million less
than FY 2018 but $17 million more than requested --- for the Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which enforces laws requiring
meat and poultry products to be wholesome, unadulterated and
properly packaged and labeled. FSIS also inspects egg-processing
plants and administers a pathogen reduction program. The measure
requires that FSIS employ at least 148 full-time equivalent
positions for inspections and enforcement of humane methods of
slaughter." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
The Bill Provided $3 Billion For The FDA. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
which is in the Health and Human Services Department, regulates
food, cosmetics, human and animal drugs, and medical devices.
Funding for the FDA includes both direct appropriations and funding
from user fees. The bill provides the FDA with a direct
appropriation of $3.0 billion and it assumes $2.4 billion in user
fees, according to Democratic appropriators --- thereby providing
the FDA with a total of $5.4 billion in funding for operations in
FY 2019. That total is $292 million more than FY 2018 but $239
million less than requested. The direct appropriation is $159
million more than FY 2018 but $213 million less than requested; the
administration also requested that new user fees be added. The
measure also includes $12 million for FDA buildings and facilities,
equal to both FY 2018 and the request." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Transportation And HUD
Appropriations Bill That Would End A Portion Of The Partial Government
Shutdown Without Funding For Trump's Wall. In January 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"provide[d] $71.4 billion for transportation programs for fiscal 2019
and provide for the release of $49 billion from the highway and
aviation trust funds. It would [have] provide[d] $49.3 billion for
federal highway programs; $17.7 billion for the Federal Aviation
Administration; $13.5 billion for mass transit; and $2.8 billion for
railroads. The bill would [have] provide[d] $44.5 billion for
programs and activities of the Housing and Urban Development Department.
From this amount, as well as offsets from payments collected by the
Federal Housing Administration, the bill would [have] provide[d]
$31.3 billion for public and Indian housing programs and $22.8 billion
for the Section 8 rental assistance voucher program." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 244 to 180. [House Vote
23, 1/10/19;
Congressional Quarterly, 1/10/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
267]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To
The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "According to Democratic appropriators, the spending
bills being considered this week are virtually identical to the
versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote, except for
'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping changes' --- with
the only substantial changes being that each bill now also includes
provisions to retroactively pay federal workers who were furloughed
during the partial shutdown." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
About 95 Percent Of HUD Has Had Its Staff Furloughed, Which Has
Meant A Suspension Of Health And Safety Inspections, Among Other
Things. According to Congressional Quarterly, "For the Housing and
Urban Development Department (HUD), 95% of its staff has been
furloughed, which according to news reports has resulted in the
suspension of mandatory health and safety inspections of housing for
low-income families, the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
About 1,500 landlords operate units covered by a HUD program that
expired on Jan. 1 and which cannot be renewed until HUD receives
funding, raising the risk of tenants being evicted. The Federal
Housing Administration, meanwhile, is unable to process loans and
loan approvals which could delay the purchase of homes by new
homeowners." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
New FAA Air Traffic Controller Training Has Halted, Among Other
Things. According to Congressional Quarterly, "On the
transportation side, Federal Aviation Administration air traffic
control services and aviation safety activities continue but other
FAA activities have been halted, including the training of new air
traffic controllers, the issuance of new pilot licenses and medical
certificates, and the registration of aircraft. And while the
Federal Highway Administration is not affected because it is funded
from the Highway Trust Fund, the vast majority of Federal Transit
Administration employees are furloughed with most non-safety
activities curtailed." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
The Legislation Appropriated $175 Million For The Essential Air
Service. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill
appropriates $175 million from the aviation trust fund to be used
by the Office of the Secretary for the Essential Air Service (EAS)
program, which subsidizes airline carriers for service to smaller
communities. The amount provided is $20 million (13%) more than FY
2018 and $82 million (88%) more than requested. In addition, the
administration has estimated that overflight fees by aircraft
crossing U.S. airspace, which can be applied to the EAS program,
would total $140 million in FY 2019." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
The Bill Provided $1.9 Billion For Amtrak. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The bill provides $1.9 billion for Amtrak
(formally the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) --- equal to
2018 funding but $1.2 billion more than requested. Of the total
provided, $650 million is for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor
operations (equal to FY 2018 and $450 million more than requested)
and $1.3 billion is for Amtrak's National Network (equal to FY
2018 and $754 million more than requested). The measure requires at
least $50 million be used to bring Amtrak-served facilities and
stations on the Northeast Corridor into compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act, and that another $50 million or
more be used for railroad safety technology, including positive
train control, on Amtrak's National Network. The measure continues
to limit overtime to $35,000 per employee --- but it allows
Amtrak's president to waive this restriction for specific employees
for safety or operational efficiency reasons. Amtrak must submit to
Congress a report on overtime payments made in FY 2018 and the three
previous years." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Financial Services
Appropriations Bill, Which Would Open Part Of The Federal Government,
Such As The IRS And The Treasury Department, That Are Currently
Closed. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for an FY 2019 Financial
Services appropriations bill. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Passage of the bill that would provide $23.7 billion in discretionary
funding for financial services and general government appropriations in
fiscal 2019. The bill would provide $12.7 billion for the Treasury
Department, of which $11.3 billion is for the Internal Revenue Service.
It would provide $1.7 billion for the Securities and Exchange
Commission, $7.7 billion for the operation of the federal court system,
and $703 million in federal payments to the District of Columbia. The
bill would also provide a 1.9 percent pay increase for civilian federal
workers for 2019." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by
a vote of 240 to 188. [House Vote 21,
1/9/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/9/19; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
264]
The Bill Appropriated $416 Million For The Office Of National
Drug Control Policy. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
measure appropriates a total of $416 million for the Office of
National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which is responsible for
developing policies, objectives and priorities for the National Drug
Control Program. The total is slightly more than FY 2018 and $386
million more than requested. Within that total for ONDCP, the
measure provides $280 million for the High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, rejecting the administration's
proposal to defund the program. HIDTA provides assistance to
federal, state and local law enforcement units operating in areas
that are most adversely affected by drug trafficking and have been
designated as high-traffic areas. It also provides $117 million
(slightly more than FY 2018) for other federal drug control
programs, such as the drug free communities program. The
administration proposed just $12 million for these other programs.
ONDCP is encouraged to ensure that rural and underserved areas that
are hardest-hit in the opioid crisis and which have the highest
concentrations of opioid-related cases are sufficiently supported in
its programs, policies, and activities." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
The Bill Was Not A Democrat Bill, But Was Virtually Identical To
The Bill Passed By The Senate In 2018. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "According to Democratic appropriators, the spending
bills being considered this week are virtually identical to the
versions that passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote, except for
'technical, conforming, and necessary scorekeeping changes' --- with
the only substantial changes being that each bill now also includes
provisions to retroactively pay federal workers who were furloughed
during the partial shutdown." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/8/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For A Full Year Omnibus Appropriations Bill
With No Funding For Trump's Wall; Legislation Provided Backpay For
Federal Workers. In January 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for a resolution
that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d]
full-year continuing appropriations covering six of the seven fiscal
2019 appropriations bills that have not been enacted into law, including
those that relate to Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial
Services, Interior-Environment, State-Foreign Operations, and
Transportation-HUD provisions. The bill include[d] provisions for a
1.9 percent pay increase for federal civilian employees and would extend
the National Flood Insurance Program through fiscal 2019. It would also
[have] provide[d] for retroactive pay for federal workers furloughed
during the partial shutdown." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 241 to 190. [House Vote 11,
1/3/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/3/19; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
21]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For A Short Term CR Through February 8th For
The Department Of Homeland Security With No Funding For Trump's Wall;
Legislation Provided Backpay For Federal Workers. In January 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted for a resolution that would have, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] short-term funding for the
Homeland Security Department through Feb. 8, 2019 at rates provided in
the fiscal 2018 omnibus appropriations law, but with additional
restrictions for use of border security funds that would prevent the
appropriated dollars from being used to construct the president's
proposed concrete border 'wall.' The bill would also [have]
provide[d] for backpay for all furloughed federal employees at the
Homeland Security Department as compensation for pay missed during the
lapse in appropriations." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
resolution by a vote of 239 to 192. [House Vote 9,
1/3/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/3/19; Congressional
Actions, H. J. Res.
1]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prevent A Government Shutdown Over Trump's
Wall; The Bill Provided Funds For Trump's Border Wall. In December
2018, Fitzpatrick voted for a continuing resolution funding a
significant portion of government through February 8, 2019 as well as
allocating $5.7 billion for President Trump's border wall. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The bill is the legislative vehicle for a
short-term continuing resolution that would fund the government through
Feb. 8, 2019. It would also authorize $5.7 billion for construction of
a border wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as an estimated $7.8
billion in emergency disaster relief funding." The vote was on a motion
to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate
amendment to the bill, with a further House amendment. The House agreed
to the motion by a vote of 217 to 185. The bill died in the Senate.
[House Vote 472,
12/20/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/20/18; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
695]
The Senate Had Earlier Passed A "Clean" CR, Which President Trump
Had Initially Supported Before He Reversed His Position. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "The enhanced CR emerged in the House on
Thursday afternoon after Trump reversed his apparent backing for the
"clean" stopgap bill approved by the Senate late Wednesday, after
getting pep talks from House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows,
R-N.C. and other conservative leaders." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/20/18]
On December 11th, Trump Said: "I Am Proud To Shut Down The
Government For Border Security, Chuck. ... I Will Take The Mantle. I
Will Be The One To Shut It Down. I'm Not Going To Blame You For
It." According to Vox, "Speaking to Democratic leaders Nancy
Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in the Oval Office, Trump said on December
11, 'I am proud to shut down the government for border security,
Chuck. ... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it
down. I'm not going to blame you for it.'" [Vox,
12/21/18]
2018: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Considering A Full Year
Clean CR Legislation Without Funding For Trump's Wall. In December
2018, Fitzpatrick effectively voted against considering legislation that
was, according to Roll Call " the 'clean' continuing resolution ---
without the additional border wall funding that President Donald Trump
is insisting be included --- to the floor as a privileged resolution.
[...] [Pelosi] justified her use of the privileged resolution, which
is a procedural move that gives one House action precedence over the
regular order of business and allows a resolution to leapfrog or
interrupt other pending matters before the chamber. [...] Earlier in
the day, Trump told House Republicans that he would veto the seven-week
stopgap funding bill GOP leaders put forward this week, escalating the
odds of a partial government shutdown after Friday at midnight, when
temporary appropriations expire." The vote was on a motion to appeal the
ruling of the chair that the resolution does not qualify as a question
of the privileges of the House. The House agreed to the motion,
effectively killing the resolution, by a vote of 187 to 170. [House
Vote 467, 12/20/18; Roll
Call,
12/20/18;
Congressional Quarterly, 12/20/18]