2019-2022: Greg Murphy Repeatedly Voted Against Appropriations Bills That Included Billions Of Dollars For The Department Of Veterans Affairs And Department Of Defense

December 2022: Murphy Voted Against The FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Package, Which Included More Than $797 Billion For The Defense Department. In November 2022, Murphy voted against: “DeLauro, D-Conn., motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill that would provide approximately $1.7 trillion in discretionary funding for the 12 fiscal 2023 appropriations bills and emergency supplemental appropriations for aid to Ukraine and disaster relief, along with a wide range of other policy provisions. In base discretionary budget authority, the bill would provide approximately $25.5 billion for the Agriculture Department and related agencies; $82.4 billion for the Commerce and Justice departments and science and related agencies; $797.7 billion for the Defense Department; $54 billion for the Energy Department and federal water projects; $27.6 billion for the Treasury Department, federal judiciary and a number of executive agencies; $60.7 billion for the Homeland Security Department; $38.9 billion for the Interior Department, EPA and related agencies; $207.4 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments and related agencies; $6.9 billion for legislative branch entities; $154.2 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related agencies; $59.7 billion for the State Department and related agencies; and $87.3 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments and related agencies. The bill would provide $47.3 billion in supplemental appropriations for aid to Ukraine, including more than $27 billion for military operations, procurement and development; $126 million for defense nuclear nonproliferation; $13 billion for economic support; and $2.4 billion for refugee assistance. It would provide over $37 billion in supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and other programs, including $5 billion for the FEMA disaster relief fund, $3.7 billion for USDA assistance to food producers with lost revenue or crops due to natural disasters, $3.5 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, $2.1 billion for dedicated wildland fire management and $1 billion to improve Puerto Rican electric grid resilience. Among other policy provisions, the bill would modify procedures for casting and counting electoral votes in presidential elections; expand tax credits for employers who offer employee retirement savings plans and include various provisions to increase employee enrollment in and contributions to such plans; include a wide range of provisions to expand and improve access to Veterans Affairs Department health care and mental health services, as well other VA benefits; prohibit use of the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok on all federal government devices; modify filing fees for business merger transactions to generally increase fees for larger mergers; and establish a framework for voluntary environmental credit markets to incentivize activities by farmers, ranchers and foresters to reduce or mitigate greenhouse gas emission or sequester carbon. It would also include provisions to address flexibility for state and local coronavirus relief funding, use of Russian asset seizures for Ukraine aid, breastfeeding workplace accommodations, compensation for 9/11 victims, aviation preparedness, ocean and land conservation programs, consumer protections, pesticide safety and lobster fishing regulations. Among health policy provisions, it would extend several Medicare programs, including coverage of certain telehealth services through 2024. It would authorize funding for new and existing mental health programs and initiatives, including a national maternal mental health hotline and state mobile mental health crisis response teams. It would include provisions to address opioid abuse and provisions related to pandemic preparedness, including to support public health workforce retention and research for pathogens of pandemic concerns.” The bill passed, thus cleared for the president, by a vote of 225-201. [H.R. 2617, Vote #549, 12/23/22; CQ, 12/23/22]

September 2022: Murphy Voted Against Continuing Government Funding Through December 16, 2022, And Emergency Funding For Ukraine, Afghan Refugee Resettlement, And Natural Disaster Relief. In September 2022, Murphy voted against: “DeLauro, D-Conn., motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill that would provide funding for federal government operations and services through Dec. 16, 2022, at fiscal 2022 levels and provide emergency funding for Ukraine, Afghan refugee resettlement, and natural disaster relief. In supplemental fiscal 2023 appropriations, it would provide approximately $12.3 billion in further military and economic aid to Ukraine, including $7.8 billion for military, intelligence and other defense support, $4.5 billion for bilateral economic support and $35 million for nuclear nonproliferation activities. It would allow the Defense Department to transfer up to $3 billion to the State Department to assist with Afghan refugee resettlement and provide $15.3 million for related FBI investigative activities. For natural disaster relief, it would provide $2.5 billion for the 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire in New Mexico, $2 billion for Community Development Block Grants specifically for disaster response, and $20 million for Army Corps of Engineers water infrastructure projects in Jackson, Miss. It would also establish a new Federal Emergency Management Agency office to process compensation claims resulting from the 2022 New Mexico wildfire. Among other funding, it would provide $1.8 billion for HHS refugee resettlement activities, $1 billion for HHS energy payment assistance for low-income households and $112.5 million for federal court security. The bill would extend a number of expiring programs and authorities for the duration of the continuing resolution, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, the National Flood Insurance Program, the Federal Communications Commission's authority to auction radio spectrum and issue licenses, and various Medicare authorities, offset by a reduction of $192 million for the Medicare Improvement Fund. It would extend various Veterans Affairs Department programs and authorities through Sept. or Dec. 2024, including homelessness and housing assistance programs. It would also revise and reauthorize, through fiscal 2027, the Food and Drug Administration's user fee programs for prescription drugs, medical devices, generic drugs, and biosimilar biological products.” The motion was agreed to by a vote of 230-201. [H.R. 6833, Vote #476, 9/30/22; CQ, 9/30/22]

• The Bill Would Extend Veterans Affairs Department Programs, Including Homelessness And Housing Assistance Programs. “It would extend various Veterans Affairs Department programs and authorities through Sept. or Dec. 2024, including homelessness and housing assistance programs. It would also revise and reauthorize, through fiscal 2027, the Food and Drug Administration's user fee programs for prescription drugs, medical devices, generic drugs, and biosimilar biological products.” The motion was agreed to by a vote of 230-201. [H.R. 6833, Vote #476, 9/30/22; CQ, 9/30/22]

July 2022: Murphy Voted Against The FY 2023 Appropriations Minibus Package To Provide $402.1 Billion In Discretionary Funding, Including More Than $150 Billion For The Veterans Affairs Department, Military Construction, And Related Agencies. In July 2022, Murphy voted against: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would provide roughly $402.1 billion in scored discretionary funding for six of the 12 fiscal 2023 appropriations bills, including $168.5 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments and related agencies; $27.2 billion for the Agriculture Department and related agencies; $56.3 billion for the Energy Department and federal water projects; $29.8 billion for the Treasury Department, federal judiciary and executive agencies; $44.8 billion for the Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies; and $150.5 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction and related agencies. Among other provisions, the bill would provide $105.4 billion for the Transportation Department in discretionary funding and from federal transportation trust funds, including $61.3 billion for highways, $18.7 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, $17.5 billion for transit and $3.8 billion for rail. It would provide approximately $62.7 billion for the Housing and Urban Development Department, including $31 billion for tenant-based rental assistance, $14.9 billion for project-based rental assistance and $11.8 billion for community planning and development programs. It would provide $198.6 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding for the Agriculture Department and federal food programs, including $111 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, $29.9 billion for farm support and conservation programs, $28.6 billion for school nutrition programs and $4.2 billion for rural development activities. It would authorize up to $57.8 billion for farm loans. It would provide $48.2 billion for the Energy Department, including $21.2 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration; $7.9 billion for environmental cleanup; and $4 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy. It would provide $8.9 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers and $1.9 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation to address drought and other water resource projects. It would provide $15.6 billion for the Treasury Department, including $13.6 billion for the Internal Revenue Service and $336 million for community development financial institutions. It would provide $2.2 billion for the Securities and Exchange Commission; $1.1 billion for the Small Business Administration; $490 million for the Federal Trade Commission; $400 million for Election Assistance Commission federal election security grants; and $166 million for the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It would provide $100 million for General Services Administration procurement of zero-emission and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. It would end a prohibition on the use of local and federal funds for abortion services in the District of Columbia. It would provide $16.7 billion for the Interior Department, including $3.6 billion for the National Park Service; $11.5 billion for the EPA, including increased funding for enforcement and compliance activities, clean air activities and environmental justice programs; $8.1 billion for the Indian Health Service; $4.4 billion for Native American education, social services and employment programs; and $6.4 billion for wildfire management. It would provide $298.6 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding for the VA, including $119.7 billion for health care programs and $163.6 billion for veterans’ compensation and pensions. It would provide $15.1 billion for military construction projects, including $2 billion for family housing and $220.1 million for infrastructure projects that improve NATO readiness, intended to counter Russian and Chinese military activities.” The bill passed by a vote of 220-207. [H.R. 8294, Vote #383, 7/20/22; CQ, 7/20/22]

2021: Murphy Voted Against Making Appropriations For The Department Of Labor, Health And Human Services, And Education, And Related Agencies Through September 30th, 2022. In July 2021, Murphy voted against: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would provide roughly $602.9 billion in scored discretionary funding for seven of the twelve fiscal 2022 appropriations bills, including $239.6 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments and related agencies; $26.6 billion for the Agriculture Department and related agencies; $53.2 billion for the the [sic] Energy Department and federal water projects; $29.1 billion for the Treasury Department, federal judiciary and executive agencies; $45.9 billion for the Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies; $124.5 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related agencies; and $84.1 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments and related agencies. Among other provisions, the bill would provide $119.8 billion for HHS, including $10.6 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; $102.8 billion for the Education Department, including $36.8 billion for Title I and other grants to schools serving low-income students; and $14.7 billion for the Labor Department, including $11.6 billion for employment and training programs and approximately $2 billion for worker protection agencies. The bill would provide nearly $140 billion for domestic food programs, including $105.8 billion in mandatory spending for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; $4.7 billion for rural development and infrastructure programs, including programs to support broadband access and provide housing loans and guarantees; and $38.5 billion for agriculture, farm production and conservation programs. It would provide $45.1 billion for the Energy Department, including $20.2 billion for nuclear security activities and $3.8 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy activities. It would provide $15.4 billion for the Treasury Department, including $13.6 for the Internal Revenue Service, $330 million for community development financial institutions and $190.5 million for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; $500 million for Election Assistance Commission election security grants to improve the administration of federal elections; and $300 million for General Services Administration procurement of zero-emission and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. It would provide $11.3 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, including $3.2 billion for state revolving funds for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure grants; $15.6 billion for the Interior Department; and $5.7 billion for wildfire management. It would provide $268.6 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding for the VA, including $97.6 billion for the Veterans Health Administration, with increases for mental health and opioid abuse prevention programs; and $10.9 billion for military construction activities. It would provide $105.7 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding for the Transportation Department, including $2.7 billion for Amtrak and $248 million for payments to air carriers providing essential air service; and $56.5 for HUD, including $39.4 billion for public and Indian housing programs. Across various titles, the bill would provide over $1.9 billion for cybersecurity activities.” The bill passed by a vote of 219-208. [H.R. 4502, Vote #247, 7/29/21; CQ, 7/29/21]

• The Bill Would Provide More Than $268 Billion For The VA, Including More Than $97 Billion For The Veterans Health Administration. “$124.5 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related agencies […] It would provide $268.6 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding for the VA, including $97.6 billion for the Veterans Health Administration, with increases for mental health and opioid abuse prevention programs; and $10.9 billion for military construction activities.” [CQ, 7/29/21]

2020: Murphy Voted Against A $259 Billion Discretionary Appropriation Bill That Included More Than $115 Billion For The Veterans Affairs Department, Military Construction, And Related Agencies. In July 2020, Murphy voted against: “Passage of the fiscal 2021 State-Foreign Operations, Agriculture, Military Construction-VA, and Interior-Environment appropriations package, as amended, that would provide $259.5 billion in discretionary funding for four of the twelve fiscal 2021 appropriations bills, including $65.9 billion for the State Department and related agencies, $24 billion for the Agriculture Department and related agencies, $115.5 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related agencies, and $36.8 billion for the Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies. Within total funding, the bill would provide $8.35 billion in overseas contingency operations funding and $37.5 billion in emergency funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic, veterans’ healthcare, and infrastructure projects, not subject to discretionary spending caps.” The motion passed by a vote of 224-189. [H.R. 7608, Vote #166, 7/24/20; CQ, 7/24/20]

2019: Murphy Voted Against Fiscal 2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, Including More Than $110 Billion For The Veterans Affairs Department, Military Construction, And Related Agencies. In December 2019, Murphy voted against: “Agreeing to the Lowey, D-N.Y. motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the Fiscal 2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, with a further House amendment, as modified, that would provide approximately $540 billion in discretionary funding for eight of the twelve fiscal 2020 appropriations: Labor-HHS-Education, Agriculture, Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, Legislative Branch, Military Construction-VA, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD. It would provide $184.9 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education departments and related agencies; $23.5 billion for the Agriculture Department and related agencies; $48.3 billion for the Energy Department and federal water projects; $36 billion for the Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies; $5 billion for legislative branch entities; $110.4 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related agencies; $54.7 billion for the State Department and related agencies; and $74.3 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments and related agencies...” The motion was agreed to by a vote of 297-120. [H.R. 1865, Vote #689, 12/17/19; CQ, 12/17/19]