WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, released a statement on Friday after voting to support the $1.3 trillion bipartisan FY18 Omnibus Appropriations bill that funds the government through September 30th. The funding package makes major investments in Connecticut priorities – including $12 million to preserve Long Island Sound and support Connecticut’s aquaculture industry, $1.941 billion for Amtrak, $231.6 million to upgrade and expand quality, affordable housing, $400 million to provide job training to older Americans, and an increase in funding to build new submarines and defense aircraft that are made in our state. 

Yesterday, Murphy applauded language in the FY18 Omnibus Appropriations bill that will help reduce gun violence, as well as funding in the omnibus for mental health and addiction programs that were authorized in his Mental Health Reform Act.

“This bill has lots of wins for our state. It will send more money back to the Connecticut manufacturers who make submarines, helicopters, and engines. It includes new support for Long Island Sound, and for aquaculture research at the Milford Lab and UConn’s Sea Grant program,” said Murphy. “It was my priority on the Appropriations Committee this year to fund programs that help us protect and create as many jobs as possible in Connecticut, and this bill will do that in a big way. This bill will fund new manufacturing jobs, new health care jobs, and new construction jobs. It's a compromise of course, and there are pieces of the bill I don't like, but on balance this budget is really good news for Connecticut.”

Highlights of the FY18 Omnibus Appropriations bill include:

  • $225 million increase for Virginia Class Submarine Advanced Procurement Industrial Base Expansion
  • $62 million increase for UH-60M production line modifications
  • $250 million increase for 2 additional CH-53K (Heavy Lift) aircraft for the Marine Corps
  • $1.941 billion for Amtrak, including $650 million for the Northeast Corridor
  • Funds mental health and addictions programs in Murphy’s Mental Health Reform Act
  • Includes language to help reduce gun violence
  • $12 million for Long Island Sound Geographic Program
  • $65 million for the National Sea Grant College Program
  • $15 million for NOAA Fisheries Aquaculture program with no cuts for Milford lab
  • $11.5 million for NOAA Marine Aquaculture Program
  • $10 million for Highlands Conservation Land Acquisition
  • $37.1 billion for National Institutes of Health
  • $231.6 million for Housing for Persons with Disabilities (Section 811) Program
  • Renews all existing rental assistance contracts & provides $84.6 million for new construction
  • $400 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) – the only federal community service and work-based job training program for low-income or unemployed older Americans.
  • $300 million increase for Title I low-income schools

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