Statement from Cliff Bentz regarding his vote in favor of "The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act" (FCAA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Cliff Bentz, (OR-2) released the following statement regarding his vote in favor of the "The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act" (FCAA):

"This was a difficult vote. There is much I dislike in this bill, but when we Republicans barely control only one of the three branches of government (House, Senate, White House), the results our team obtained after months of work and thousands of amendments are deserving of serious respect. Additionally, failing to move this bill forward now would not in any way guarantee a better outcome and could result in a far worse one. We are now five months into the fiscal year to which this bill applies. We absolutely cannot keep kicking the budget can down the road, and we cannot shut down the government when we Republicans have not agreed on what it would take to reopen it. Our leadership team has negotiated, among many other things, reductions in overall spending, an increase in our military's pay, and a stronger more modern fighting force. With this budget behind us, we will immediately begin work on the 2025 budget. For those interested in reviewing a summary of what we Republicans were able to do in this budget, here is a link to a summary of the six budgets that make up the FCAA. And in case you are wondering, yes, I have plowed my way through the 1012 pages of the bill!"

Highlights from the Remaining FY24 Appropriations Legislation:

Oregon:

· 26 F-35s jets to be stationed at Kinsley Field, thus maintaining the huge value of this fighting force in Oregon.

· H–2B SUPPLEMENTAL VISAS EXEMPTION will help alleviate these workforce shortages and in doing so, will help create and sustain the jobs of American workers who rely on the H-2B workers to support their jobs during their peak seasons. These workers will come and work, pay income, FICA and Medicare taxes, then return to their home countries.

· Long overdue pay raise of 5.2 percent to our men and women of the armed forces.

· $364.6 million for rural health programs.

Pro Life Inclusions:

· Hyde Amendment - Protects federal funding from being used for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or life of the mother. The Hyde Amendment has bee enacted in various forms from FY 1976-2023. [Division D, Title V – General Provisions, Sec. 506-507.]

· Hyde Amendment Maintenance of the prohibition on federal funding for abortion coverage in federal and local DC programs, respecting the sanctity of life.

· Weldon Amendment - Prevents HHS funding recipients from discriminating against health care entities because they refuse to provide, pay for or refer for abortion. This provision has been enacted from FY2005-2023. [Division D, Title V – General Provisions, Sec. 507(d).]

· Dickey-Wicker Amendment – Prevents federal funding of harmful human embryo research. This provision has been enacted from FYs 1996-2023.

Border Security:

· Expansion of ICE beds by 25% (from 34,000 to 42,000) to allow a strengthening of enforcement of immigration laws and enhance border security efforts.

· Allocation of resources for 22,000 border agents to bolster security along our nation's borders.

· A 25% increase in spending on border technology to modernize and enhance surveillance capabilities.

· Prohibits the federal government from hiring illegal aliens.

· Prohibits funds for programs that encourage, organize, facilitate, or promote migrant caravans to the United States-Mexico border

Fiscal Discipline:

· 20% cut to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to encourage a better use of taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively.

· Cuts to the Pentagon's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and Department of Defense's (DOD) climate programs to prioritize national security and operational effectiveness.

Culture:

· Prohibits the flying of flags other than the American flag over U.S. diplomatic facilities. (aka prohibits flying pride flag over US consulates and embassies)

· Prevention of banning gas stoves by the Biden Administration.

· Cuts totaling $2.16 billion in COVID-19 funding, reflecting a strategic approach to pandemic response.

· Prohibiting funds from being used in contravention of the FY23 Congressional repeal of the COVID Vaccine Mandate

· Takes back $10 billion from the Administration, partially defunding President Biden's supercharged army of 85,000 IRS agents.

· A prohibition on a Federal Law Enforcement transfer of firearms to individuals if they are suspected of being an agent of a drug cartel.

· Prohibiting funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology and EcoHealth Alliance in China

· Cuts $50 million in DEI programs

· Protects American frees speech – continues current law language prohibiting the IRS targeting groups or individual citizens for their Fist Amendment rights.

Defense/Foreign Affairs:

· Defunds portions of the UN – defunds UNRWA, which has employees that participated in the October 7th attack on Israel

· Increases military spending by $26 billion

· Pays our troops more – includes 5.2% increased in basic military pay, the largest increase in over 20 years

Groups Supporting:

· Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS)

· Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)

· AIPAC

· Air and Space Forces Association (ASFA)

· American Hotel and Lodging Association

· American Trucking Associations

· Anduril Industries

· Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA)

· Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association of the US Coast Guard (CWOA)

· Coalition for Jewish Values

· Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS (COA)

· CUFI Action Fund

· Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS)

· FDD Action

· Foundation for American Innovation

· General Aviation Manufacturers Association

· Global Special Operations Forces Foundation (GSOF)

· Independent Electrical Contractors

· Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big "I")

· International Foodservice Distributors Association

· International Franchise Association

· Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA)

· Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV)

· Job Creators Network

· Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA)

· Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America (MCA)

· Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

· National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

· National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

· National Defense Industrial Association

· National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS)

· National Military Family Association (NMFA)

· National Restaurant Association

· National Retail Federation

· Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA)

· Republican Jewish Coalition

· Service Women's Action Network (SWAN)

· Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

· The United States Army (AUSA)

· TREA: The Retired Enlisted Association

· United States Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA)

· U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA)

· U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association & Enlisted Association (CPOA)

· With Honor Action