WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted for H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Act, to fully fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2018. The legislation—which passed the House with a bipartisan majority – supports America’s rural economies, provides law enforcement resources to fight crime, and promotes small businesses.

“This legislation invests in proven programs that are vitally important to Southern Illinois while also reducing unnecessary and wasteful spending,” said Rep. Bost.  “It is Congress’s constitutional responsibility to exercise the power of the purse and this legislation sensibly funds our government and puts the American people first.”

Make America Secure and Prosperous Act:

Spurring Economic Growth:

• Supports America’s rural economies by providing funding for infrastructure development, housing needs, and loans to help expand rural businesses and industries
• Promotes opportunities for American small business to begin, grow, and prosper by providing funding for small business loans and veterans’ small business programs

Supporting Our Farmers:

• Continues funding for critical programs that support farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners, including programs that help with the implementation of the Farm Bill
• Invests in agricultural research by continuing operations at all Agricultural Research Service facilities and supporting the Agriculture Food Research Initiative grant program

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic:

• Enhances drug enforcement efforts within the DEA, including heroin enforcement and combatting transnational organized crime, and increasing funding for DEA’s Diversion Control Program
• Includes funding for drug courts, treatment, and prescription drug monitoring as authorized in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act

Supporting National Security:

• Includes funding for physical barrier construction along the Southern border
• Invests in new border technology, new aircraft and sensors, and new inspection equipment to protect the border
• Combats the increasing threat of cyberattacks by funding programs to enhance critical infrastructure and secure government networks

###