WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, U.S. Congressman Brian Mast sent the following letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (WI-1) and other members of Congressional leadership withholding his vote on the spending agreement currently being negotiated unless the following priorities are addressed as part of the domestic spending deal: 1) South Florida water infrastructure projects, 2) improving Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, 3) funding to address the opioid crisis and 4) disaster recovery funding.  Negotiations on a budget deal are ongoing.

The full letter is below:

February 7, 2018

Speaker Paul Ryan

H-232

The Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Mr. Speaker:

A bipartisan working group of Members of Congress is currently negotiating a deal that would increase domestic and military spending by $300 billion.  I strongly support this increase in military spending to provide budgetary certainty for our men and women serving abroad.  They cannot be asked to provide defense across the globe without the equipment they need.

Moreover, I want to ensure that any increase in domestic spending addresses issues critical to my constituents.  Therefore, I can only vote for this package if it robustly addresses the following four major priorities:

1. South Florida Water Infrastructure Projects
2. Improving Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities
3. Funding to Address the Opioid Crisis
4. Disaster Recovery Funding

I appreciate your support on these efforts in the past and your willingness to work together with me to secure funding for these projects in this package.

 

Sincerely,

  

 

Brian J. Mast

Member of Congress

 

cc:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi

 

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