House Approves Bipartisan Funding Bills and Avoids Government Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives approve spending legislation earlier in the week that will provide funding to avoid a government shutdown deadline that was scheduled for today.

The set of 12 appropriations bills include $445 million for wildfire prevention and $6.5 million to streamline and modernize the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program.

The bills also include a 3.1% pay raise for American troops and their families. Almost $1.4 billion has been tagged for the border wall, and the legislation removes restrictions on the president's ability to use funds for immigration and border enforcement activities.

"It continues the president's priorities of rebuilding the military and it certainly puts an emphasis on making sure that our borders remain secure and improved security measures are taken." 4th District Representative Dan Newhouse said, "That will help keep all Americans safe and secure and make sure we know who's coming and going across our borders."

Funding for agricultural and environmental research and an expedited cleanup of the Hanford waste site are also included in the spending legislation.

Newhouse did add that he was not thrilled that we essentially have to build an urgent situation before Congress can move on an item.