House Passes Bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, PA-5, today issued the following statement on House passage of H.R. 3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The measure passed by a vote of 359-67.

"Congress for the first time since the Korean War has cut spending for four years in a row. Passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014 shows that common ground can be achieved and that Washington can live within its means. Also included in this legislation is a 1% pay raise for our troops and an elimination of the temporary 1% COLA reduction for our medically disabled veterans and their survivors. Our troops have earned this support, not just during their service but after they return to civilian life.”

Summary of provisions included in H.R. 3547:

• Contains all 12 of the annual appropriations bills and provides funding and policy directives for each FY 2014 measure.
• Adheres to the spending caps set through the Bipartisan Budget Act that was signed into law in December of 2013.
• Delays certain premium increases in the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Amends the Bipartisan Budget Act to exempt medically retired personnel and survivor benefit plan recipients from having their cost-of-living benefits temporarily reduced.
• Grants request made by Rep. Thompson to increase funding for Career and Technical Education Programs.

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