Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (NC-10) released the following statement on House passage of the Conference Report for the FY 2019 Defense Appropriations bill: 

"We have a responsibility to ensure that the brave men and women of the U.S. military are fully equipped and have the resources needed to keep this country safe. Today’s vote in the House—fully funding the Department of Defense and providing our troops with the biggest pay raise they’ve received in nine years—is a step towards fulfilling this commitment. 

"In addition to supporting our troops, this package includes initial relief funding for our neighbors in eastern North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Florence. Coupled with the hurricane relief funding included in the FAA reauthorization bill passed earlier today, the House will have provided over $10 billion dollars to help our state rebuild."

Background 

Highlights on the FY 2019 Defense Appropriations bill courtesy of the House Committee on Appropriations:

• Provides a total of $674.4 billion in funding, which is consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019. It continues to rebuild the military with a boost of $17 billion above the fiscal year 2018 level in base discretionary funding.
• Of the total, the bill includes $67.9 billion for ongoing Overseas Contingency Operations and Global War on Terror efforts.
• Supports our warfighters by including the authorized 2.6% pay raise for our troops – the largest such pay raise in nine years.
• Boosts troop levels – supports 1,338,100 active-duty troops and 817,700 Guard and Reserve troops and meets the requested 16,400 end-strength increase.
• Cares for our troops, military families, and retirees by including $34.4 billion for the Defense Health Program.
• Includes funding above the request for cancer research, traumatic brain injury and psychological health research, and sexual assault prevention and response.
• Replenishes our military might by providing $148 billion for equipment procurement and $96.1 billion for research and development into new defense systems and technologies.

 
In addition to passing the Conference Report for the FY 2019 Defense Appropriations bill the House also passed H.R. 302, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. H.R. 302 included an additional $1.68 billion for Hurricane Florence relief. This funding will support recovery efforts from catastrophic wind and flooding damage caused by Hurricane Florence, including resources to rebuild housing, infrastructure, and assistance to local businesses as they recover from damage caused by the hurricane.