CUELLAR VOTES TO FUND OUR TROOPS, COMBAT BORDER VIOLENCE AND PREPARE AGAINST PANDEMIC FLU
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 17, 2009, 0 Comments
SUPPLEMENTAL BILL FUNDS TROOPS OVERSEAS, SUPPORTS FIGHT AGAINST MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS, PROVIDES FUNDS FOR PANDEMIC FLU RESPONSE AND INCLUDES MEASURE TO HELP AMERICANS TRADE IN OLD CARS FOR NEW
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) today voted in support of the 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act, major federal funding legislation worth $106 billion which supports U.S. troop efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, secures the Southwest border region against drugs and arms trafficking, protects Americans from pandemic flu outbreaks, and provides rebate funding for millions of Americans trading-in older vehicles for ones with better fuel efficiency.
“Today we help the American people here at home while supporting our servicemen and women defending our freedoms overseas,” said Congressman Cuellar. “We secured the dollars necessary to outfit our troops with the equipment they need, and we ensured they’ll be rightly compensated for their tremendous service to country.”
The legislation replenishes military pay accounts and provides compensation to 185,000 troops who experienced stop-loss orders and remained on active duty longer than planned. These service members and veterans will receive $500 for each month they served under stop-loss orders since 2001. In addition, the bill provides over $420 million to address growing drug-related violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, by assisting Mexico’s Government in their fight against organized crime and bolstering support for U.S. federal agencies working to draw down drug trafficking.
“This is an incredible boost to those law enforcement agencies who’ve been working hard in the fight to take on the cartels, and who are trying to stop the flow of drugs and weapons crossing our border,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These funds trickle down to our communities by ultimately making our streets more safe.”
An additional $100 million will help U.S. federal agencies fight against narcotics and firearms trafficking along the Southwest border, and $158 million will support the Department of Homeland Security respond to security issues in the border region. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will also receive $11.8 million for the care and treatment of unaccompanied non-resident children.
On Wednesday, H.R. 2346 the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, passed by a vote of 226-202, and will fully fund U.S. related military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of the fiscal year. In addition, it provides $1 billion towards the “Cash for Clunkers” program, providing consumers with vouchers worth a minimum of $3,500 to $4,500 to go towards the purchase of new more fuel efficient vehicles when they trade-in older automobiles.
“At a time when Americans struggle with rising gas prices, I’m pleased we can offer some relief to those people looking to trade in their older vehicles for ones that get more miles on the gallon,” Congressman Cuellar said.
Pandemic Flu Preparedness is also a major component of the bill, calling for over $7 billion in contingent emergency appropriations which expand detection efforts, supplement federal vaccine stockpiles and develop preparedness plans. Texas will qualify for a portion of the $350 million allocated to state and local governments in preparing for and responding to a pandemic outbreak, as to be determined by Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control
