WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after voting to fund the government for Fiscal Year 19.

“This bill was not strong enough on border security and failed to provide long-term certainty for DACA recipients. Not to mention, it failed to extend the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA),” said Cathy. “I voted yes because I believe we need to fund the government and because the bill did include other important wins for Eastern Washington, including funding for a new Agricultural Research Service (ARS) building that I will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring to Washington State University. While I’m glad we are funding the government, securing our border is critical, and this deal was a missed opportunity on that front.”

On the funding for a new ARS building, WSU President Kirk Schulz said, “We appreciate the tremendous work of our delegation in supporting the state’s vitally important ag industry and the world renowned Agricultural research we do at WSU. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers’ leadership has been critical in ensuring recognition of our expertise by the USDA and in advocating for Washington with her colleagues in Congress.”

Important WINS for Eastern Washington:

• $100 million in grants for STOP School Violence Act to provide schools with mental health counselors, school resource officers, and other safety resources.
• $3.16 billion in funding to support agricultural research conducted by the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute on Food and Agriculture
• Full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which provides Federal payments to local governments to offset property tax losses due to federal lands.
• $3.95 billion to fight wildfires, with this amount providing fire suppression funding at the 10-year average and an additional $500 million.

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