WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) released the following statement upon the House passing H.R. 244 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, to fund the federal government through September, and averting a partial government shutdown.

“One of the greatest duties we have as Members of Congress is to provide for our nation’s defense, and today’s funding agreement takes a big step forward in ensuring our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to tackle 21^st century threats,” said Rep. Scott.

Highlights of today’s legislation include:

• DEFENSE:  
  • Provides $128 million to further the development of the next generation JSTARS intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and battle management aircraft, and $19.7 million for mission computer upgrades to two E-8C JSTARS aircraft currently flown out of Robins Air Force Base.
  • Supports the fleet of A-10C Warthog aircraft flown out of Moody Air Force Base and prohibits retirement of the crucial close-air support asset and provides $20 million for wing replacements for the A-10C fleet.
  • Includes critical maintenance and sustainment funding for the military, including for work performed on combat aircraft at the Robins Air Logistics Center and combat vehicles at Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany.
  • Provides a 2.1% pay raise for the more than 100,000 active duty service members stationed throughout Georgia.
• AGRICULTURE:
  • The bill includes $2.89 billion for Agriculture research, including the Agriculture & Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which funds important research programs at the University of Georgia. 
• ECONOMIC:
  • Allocates $400 million to disaster relief, of which Georgia should qualify for a portion to help Middle and South Georgia’s continuing recovery efforts related to January’s severe storms.
• HEALTHCARE:
  • Renews the Hyde amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortions.
  • Includes funding for women’s health to be allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services and HHS Tom Secretary Price for the foreseeable future.

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