Reed Legislative Priorities Included in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Tom Reed announced his legislative
priorities, including a 2.6 percent increase in pay for our troops, increase in
aid for college students and $6.7 billion to address opioid and heroin abuse
were, included in yesterdays passed government funding bill.
“Drug abuse affects every neighborhood in New York and has
robbed countless individuals of their full potential,” Tom said. “We care about
those struggling with heroin and other forms of opioids and are proud to ensure
our communities have increased funding to address this crisis.
“Additionally, it was very important to us that our troops
get a pay bump and our college students receive more aid as college costs keep
skyrocketing.” Tom continued.
The bill also required the Secretary of the Navy to complete
a report within 180 days on the national security concerns related to the
closing of Dresser-Rand in Wellsville.
“When Tom brought to my attention the national security
concerns surrounding the closing of Dresser-Rand we immediately agreed that
this issue is critical and must be promptly addressed by the Navy,” Chairwoman
of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Rep. Kay Granger said. “We
believe the requested report will further reflect the concerns of Congress
regarding the relocation and interruption in the production of steam turbines -
like the ones built in Wellsville, NY.”
This is the second required report on the national security
concerns of moving Dresser-Rand out of Wellsville. The first, authorized in the
National Defense Authorization Act, is due for completion on February 9, 2019.
“There are generations of institutional knowledge located in
Wellsville which cannot be replicated at another location, and there have been
numerous occasions when Dresser-Rand employees were essential in the urgent
repair of Navy ships,” Tom said. “Congress has serious national security
worries surrounding the closure of Dresser- Rand, and we are proud to be able
to secure this second report on the dire concerns of the Navy in this bill.”
The bill also includes a $2 billion increase in funding for
the National Institute of Health for research to prevent and cure cancer,
Alzheimer’s and other devastating diseases.
The House passed funding bills for the Departments of Energy
and Veteran Affairs last week.
This bill funded the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education through fiscal year 2019 and remaining
government agencies through December 7.
