{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-comprehensive-appropriations-measure", "House Passes Comprehensive Appropriations Measure", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, with the support of Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06), the U. S. House of Representatives passed the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, legislation to provide discretionary funding for the federal government through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2016. \nCongressman Costello released the following statement: There are some items included in the bill I do not like and there are some provisions that I wouldve liked to see included. However, the good outweighs the bad, including an increased commitment to the NIH and medical innovation; delay of ObamaCares punitive Cadillac tax on high-quality health plans; prevention of a taxpayer bailout of ObamaCares risk corridorprogram; reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund; increased funding and support for rail safety and positive train control; keeping terrorists out of our country by strengthening the visa waiver program; permanently reauthorizing benefits for 9/11 first responders; and lifting the antiquated ban on oil exports that will create an estimated one million jobs in nearly every state. Passage of this legislation is yet another step towards building a pro-growth economy for families and businesses in my district, and above all, it keeps our government operating and at work for the American people.\nMolly Morrison, President, Natural Lands Trust, applauded the reauthorization of the LWCF: From countless community parks, playgrounds, and trails, to iconic historic and natural gems like Valley Forge National Historic Park and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has improved the lives of everyone in our region. While there is still a need for permanent reauthorization of LWCF, the short-term extension and increased funding announced today is a big step in the right direction. We are fortunate to have representatives in Congress like Rep. Costello who understand the importance of continuing to invest in our quality of life.\n\"Farmers across Pennsylvania are embracing parts of the new spending plan, which includes key measures to help farmers remain economically viable and help them become even better stewards of their land,\" said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert. \"Farm Bureau would like to thank Congressman Costello for his efforts in securing passage on the omnibus bill.\"\nKey provisions included in the appropriations bill: \nInvests in Biomedical Research & Health Programs\n Increases critical funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and leading efforts to find cures for cancer and Alzheimers disease.\n\tFunds critical disease prevention and bio-defense research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).\n\tBoosts assistance to state and local governments to support mental health and substance abuse treatment, child care, and community health centers.\n Supports our Veterans\n Provides a 10 percent increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure our veterans receive health, job, and other benefits. Costello is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.\n\tSupports 770 new staff to address the claims processing backlog.\n\tIncreases oversight at the VA to ensure veterans are receiving the benefits and care they need and to protect taxpayer dollars.\n\tExpands whistleblower protections to ensure VA staff have the same protections as other VA employees.\n\tHelps end veterans homelessness by supporting new and existing VASH vouchers.\n Protects our Natural Resources\n Provides increased funding for Interior and Environment programs.\n\tReauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) through September 2018 with 50% of funds directed to state and local recreation, conservation and battlefield protection programs. Costello has been a vocal supporter of permanent reauthorization of the LWCF.\n\tProvides the necessary funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including the funding for state and wildlife grant programs.\n\tProvides funding for the National Parks Service, including funds to reduce the maintenance backlog and for services related to the Centennial.\n\tBlocks Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overreach\n Keeps our Homeland Secure \n Includes H.R. 158, Visa Waiver Program to strengthen vulnerabilities and tighten security requirements in the visa process.\n\tIncreases funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve security and law enforcement efforts to keep our nation and citizens safe.\n\tProvides funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to strengthen enforcement of immigration, including funding to combat human trafficking, child exploitation and to expand visa vetting capabilities.\n\tFunds cybersecurity operations to improve and protect our networks from cyberattacks and cyberespionage.\n\tStrengthens aviation security.\n Supports September 11th First Responders\nStrengthens National Security and Military Readiness\n Provides the essential funding for men and women in uniform to successfully carry out their missions within the budget caps.\n\tFunds International Security Aid that will address anti-terrorism programs to prevent the travel foreign fighters and fight illicit financing networks.\n\tFully funds our commitment to our most critical ally in the Middle East, Israel.\n\tProhibits the transfer of detainees out of Guantanamo Bay.\n Strengthens our Education System \n Funds for Early Childhood Education and Care.\n\tExpands maximum Pell Grant award.\n\tProvides additional $415 million in special education grants to states. \n Repeals the Antiquated Oil Export Ban\n Ends the 1975 ban on oil exports and would create an estimated 1 million American jobs in nearly all 50 states and generate more than 1 million barrels daily. \n A full summary of the legislation can be found here.\nRead the entire bill here.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-comprehensive-appropriations-measure"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8160430006682873, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}