| WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives passed an appropriations package today focused on national security. The Make America Secure Appropriations Act included a 2.4% raise for military members and higher funding levels for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the package provides $1.57 billion in funding for a physical wall along America’s southern border. As a member of the House Rules Committee, Congressman Collins helped shepherd this legislation through to the floor for a vote. “America’s security remains the highest priority of Congress and this administration. Today, the House voted to fully fund President Trump’s budget request for construction of a border wall and to increase support that troops and veterans have been waiting on for too long. “This legislation also opens the door for the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw from the Waters of the United States Rule, which would needlessly burden Georgia farmers and families. I’m proud to help fund initiatives that strengthen our country and our state,” said Collins. The Make America Secure Act includes language requested by Collins that states that the Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division–of which all northeast Corps lakes are a part–should take into account stakeholder feedback before implementing any changes to the use of non-potable water from the lakes. The Corps attempted to put the irrigation ban in place in 2016 with little or no public notice, though the policy change would adversely affect thousands of residents living on and around Corps lakes. |