Following passage of the spending bill to fund the government through September 2017, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) issued this statement:

“President Trump’s cruel effort to slash essential government services was denied for the moment. He failed to make taxpayers pay for his border wall, and he failed to defund Planned Parenthood and the care they provide to millions of Americans. The federal budget must reflect the values of the American people, and the American people do not want Congress to walk away from crucial scientific research or Meals on Wheels.

“Contrary to Trump’s economically destructive spending plan, Congress is sending an extra $2 billion to our national health centers to research diseases and develop cures. We’ve secured an additional $600 million to fight the opioid epidemic, a particularly devastating crisis in South Florida. We’ve restored year-round Pell Grants so that low-income college students can afford to attend classes during the summer. We will continue our proud tradition of aiding those in desperate need by sending emergency aid to famine-stricken regions of the world like South Sudan and Yemen. And Democrats on the Hill have rebuffed Republican attempts to gut the Environmental Protection Agency. 

“This bill also includes $61 million to reimburse local law enforcement for security costs for President Trump’s frequent trips outside of Washington. As I’ve consistently said, the burden of covering President Trump’s visits to the private Mar-a-Lago country club will not fall on the taxpayers of Palm Beach County alone. Funding in this bill will ensure that our county can be reimbursed for the nearly $4 million in overtime costs during his golf trips to his private resort.

“This spending bill is far from perfect, but I voted for it because it includes crucial funding for many priorities that South Florida values.”