Congressman Kevin Cramer gave formal praise to the conference report of H.R. 6157 on Wednesday, Sept. 26. This includes the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Act, as well as the Continuing Appropriations Act. The bill provides funding for the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education and includes a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) until Dec. 7 to keep the government open until all annual appropriations funding bills can be voted on and signed into law.

The Department of Defense has improved a great amount. Cramer said: “For the first time in 10 years the Department of Defense will be funded through regular order, our troops will receive the biggest pay raise in nine years and states will receive funding to fight the opioid epidemic.”

Troops will receive a 2.6 percent pay raise. I like this because the troops deserve to be paid more given the daily sacrifices they make for this country. $148 billion will be given to procure additional ships, aircraft, tanks, weapons and other platforms to ensure troops have the resources they need. Along with this, there will be increased funding for research, missile defense and defense health programs. There will be a total of $674.4 billion piled up toward the Department of Defense. This will ensure our troops are getting paid a sufficient amount while using the best and safest equipment.

There were many highlights for the Departments of Labor, HHS and Education. There will be $178 billion for medical research, education and job training. $39 billion will go toward increasing critical research initiatives, including the Cancer Moonshot, Alzheimer’s research and pediatric cancer research initiative. Our number one priority should be the safety and health of human beings, so it’s great that this money is going to a great cause. There will be increased funding for special education, Pell Grants, Impact Aid and charter schools. It’s very important that students get a proper education, so I really like the things Cramer is doing.

Overall, it’s a lot of money being spent. However, it’s going to a good cause that’s a necessity for the people.