WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, the U.S. Senate passed the 2015 Omnibus Federal Appropriations bill, which funds the government through September 30, 2015 and includes funding for several priorities benefiting Maine.

“There’s no doubt that there isn’t a perfect bill, but there are some important provisions in this one – particularly for Maine,” Senator King said. “Not only does this bill fully fund the Department of Defense, including shipbuilding priorities at Bath Iron Works, but it also invests in transportation infrastructure projects, early childhood education programs, housing assistance for low-income families and homeless veterans, and renewable and clean energy initiatives, among many other important priorities that will make a big difference in the lives of Mainers. And importantly, this bill is true appropriations legislation, not the continuing resolutions that have created economic instability and worried investors in the past. This bill will fund the government through next year, instilling the type of certainty that our economy needs.”

The appropriations bill funds more than $3 billion for the U.S. Navy destroyer programs, including $2.66 billion for two Arleigh Burke-class DDG-51 destroyers, one of which will be built at Bath Iron Works, and $419 million for construction of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers. It includes a provision authored by Senator Susan Collins requiring that all fresh fruits and vegetables – including fresh white potatoes – be included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and it also fully funds the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program to aid workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages decrease as a result of increased imports.

The bill also includes funding to repair America’s deteriorating infrastructure network, including $500 million for DOT TIGER grants to state and local governments; increases investments in Pell Grant funding and child care subsidies to working parents; upholds a commitment to early childhood education programs, like Head Start; maintains robust funding for housing assistance for low-incomes families and veterans; and continues investment in weatherization and energy-efficiency programs. For a comprehensive summary of the FY15 Omnibus Appropriations bill, click HERE.

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