House Passes First "Minibus" Spending Bill

Friday morning the House voted 235-179 to pass the first fiscal year 2019 spending package, which came in the form of a “minibus” bill that bundled three of the 12 individual appropriations bills ― military construction & veterans affairs, energy & water, and the legislative branch.

While the $145 billion funding bill ultimately passed comfortably with the backing of 212 Republicans and 23 Democrats, it contains several provisions that proved controversial, including:

• Energy Research: Funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs would be reduced by $243 million compared to fiscal year 2018, while research and development into coal, natural gas, oil, and other fossil fuel technologies would total $785 million.
• Yucca Mountain: A total of $267.7 million would be provided to accelerate progress toward making the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Repository fully operational, an increase of $100 million above the president’s budget request. Nevada lawmakers oppose locating the repository in their state.
• Guns on Public Lands: Possession of firearms would be permitted on lands managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
• Columbia River Dams: Federal funds would be prohibited from being used to operate the Columbia River hydroelectric dams in a manner that calls for increased “spill” (ie water that flows around the dam’s turbines without generating power). At issue is whether increased spill helps or hurts endangered salmon migrating up the Columbia.

Hit Take Action to tell your senators what you think of the first FY19 minibus spending bill and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Armastas / iStock)