In Another Rejection of President Trump’s Reckless Budget Proposals, Senator Murray Applauds Bipartisan Passage of Critical Funding for Hanford Cleanup, VA Caregivers Program, and Additional Priorities for Washington State Families, Veterans, and Military Bases

In newly-passed package of spending bills, Senator Murray successfully secures $315 million in additional funding for continued nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford, increased investments in popular VA Caregivers program, and other critical WA & national priorities 

Spending bills clear a new hurdle after a 86-to-5 vote in the Senate

Legislation also includes provisions to support WA ports

Senator Murray: Pledges to keep critical WA issues like Hanford cleanup & other shared challenges impacting families in WA “front and center on Congress’ agenda”

(Washington DC)  – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the passage of legislation to invest in critical Washington state priorities and vital programs to support families, veterans, military bases, and scientific research in Washington state and across the nation. Rejecting President Trump’s reckless budget proposal that would have cut investments from important federal obligations like nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford, the legislation provides $315 million in additional federal funding to support Hanford cleanup efforts. Additionally, the legislation includes an increase of $365 million from President Trump’s budget proposal in new federal spending for VA’s popular Caregivers program for veterans, a program Senator Murray has long championed and recently fought to successfully expandir to include post-9/11 era veterans. The spending package passed the Senate 86 to 5.

“Once again, I’m proud that Democrats and Republicans have come together to reject President Trump’s senseless budget cuts and instead craft a budget that honors the sacrifices of central Washington families and helps address some of the most critical needs faced by people in communities across the country,” said Senator Murray after the bill’s passage. “We can’t let our government forget its moral obligations to its people and our communities, from Hanford cleanup to taking care of our veterans and so much more, and as a voice for Washington state, I will continue fighting to strengthen investments in these important efforts and keep these priorities front and center on Congress’ agenda.”

Senator Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, previously worked to secure these investments during the bill writing process, leading efforts to help pass legislation out of the Appropriations Committee last month that includes continued fondos for Hanford cleanup and improvements to the VA’s Caregiver program to make it more accessible to veterans of all eras, in addition to investments in other Washington state priorities including increased funding for scientific research and development, and investments to help repair and maintain Washington waterways and military bases.

More highlights of the legislation, including Washington state-specific investments, included below:

• $2.411 billion for nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford

  • $838.171 million for Richland Operations, $180 million more than the President’s budget proposal
  • $1.573 billones para Office of River Protection, $135 millones más que la propuesta de presupuesto del presidente

• $20 million for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, supports operation, maintenance, and cleanup activities at the Hanford and Los Alamos, New Mexico sites

• $6.65 billion for Department of Energy’s Office of Science, supports 10 national laboratories, including PNNL ($1.259 billion more than the President’s budget proposal)

  • $715 million for Biological and Environmental Research, apoya la Molecular Ambiental Laboratorio de Ciencias e Instalación de Usuario de Medición de Radiación Atmosférica en PNNL. Estas instalaciones para usuarios científicos brindan acceso a equipos únicos y de última generación para más de 1.800 usuarios al año.
  • $35 million for the Energy Sciences Capability, supports a construction project at PNNL to provide modern lab space and equipment

• $260 million for Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, apoya la investigación y el desarrollo en PNNL, Washington State University (WSU), servicios públicos e industria en el noroeste

• $2.322 billion for Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, ($1.626 billion more than the President’s budget proposal); supports research and development efforts at PNNL, WSU, University of Washington, and more

• $6.927 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ($2.142 billion more than the President’s budget proposal)

  • $50 million to support small ports, including the Ports of Bellingham, Ilwaco, Chinook, Ridgefield, Skagit, Willapa Harbor, and more
  • $50 millones para apoyar a los puertos de transferencia de energía y donantes, incluida la Northwest Seaport Alliance
  • $6 millones para ayudar a combatir las especies invasoras en la cuenca del río Columbia a través de estaciones de inspección de embarcaciones, respuesta rápida y monitoreo

• $3 million for the VA’s child care pilot program

• $17 millones para el Programa de violencia de pareja íntima de VA para ayudar a brindar servicios integrales y apoyo a los veteranos que experimentan violencia doméstica y de pareja íntima

• Increased investments in military bases around Washington state, incluyendo pero no limitado a:

  • $89 millones para el mantenimiento del muelle en la Base Naval de Kitsap
  • $19 millones para la instalación de apoyo a la flota en Whidbey Island
  • $8 millones para Whidbey Island Next Generation Jammer Facility
  • $26 millones para la instalación de reabastecimiento de combustible en la base conjunta Lewis McChord