WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) praised passage of the government funding bill today that delivers necessary resources to keep our country safe, continue important programs, and benefit Kentucky communities. Most notably, the legislation provides $22.54 billion in total border security funding, a priority for the Trump administration and Senator McConnell. Of that amount, $1.375 billion will be used to build 55 new miles of walls and physical barriers along the southwest border, where career experts agree there is the greatest need.

“Today the U.S. Senate delivered another down payment on President Trump’s commitment to securing our nation’s borders and keeping American communities safe,” said Senator McConnell. “In addition to providing new funds for miles of new border barriers, it completes all seven outstanding appropriations bills to fund our government and includes several important priorities I secured on behalf of the people of Kentucky.”

ASIAN CARP

Senator McConnell’s provision directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to focus its efforts on combatting the serious threat of Asian Carp in Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in Western Kentucky. The legislation also provides $11 million dollars -- a $600,000 increase from last year’s enacted level -- for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to control Asian Carp in both lakes and the larger Mississippi and Ohio River Basins. $2 million of this funding will be used to support contract fishing and other deterrents to help reduce the Asian Carp population. 

“Earlier this week, the Senate passed a bipartisan natural resources package encouraging federal, state, and local partners to collaborate in the fight against Asian Carp,” said Senator McConnell. “In addition, this government funding bill will provide an unprecedented level of resources to protect places like Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake from these dangerous fish. As Senate Majority Leader, I have been proud to make combating Asian Carp a national priority, and I applaud my colleagues for passing both measures this week.”

“It's been a great week for the War on Carp, and it just got better,” said Lyon County Judge-Executive Wade White. “Senator McConnell has included a provision in the bill to deliver much-needed help for Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake!  Thank you Senator McConnell for this massive shot in the arm in our efforts to save our lakes!”   

ABANDONED MINE LAND (AML) PILOT PROGRAM

Senator McConnell secured $115 million for the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) pilot program, $25 million of which will go to Kentucky for the development of projects on land previously used to mine coal that will help support economic development in Eastern Kentucky. In 2015, Senator McConnell worked with Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) to establish this pilot program, which has led to many successful economic development projects in coal communities.

“This funding, which is welcome news for Kentucky, will help communities reclaim abandoned coal mines in hopes of spurring economic development in the region by supporting tourism, recreation, and workforce training,” said Senator McConnell. “Congressman Rogers and I continue to champion growth and new jobs in Eastern Kentucky, and we are proud to ensure these communities have strong voices in Washington.”

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR THOSE IN RECOVERY

Senator McConnell included a provision to help address some of the challenges many people recovering from opioid and substance abuse have with finding stable housing following treatment. His provision directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to encourage Community Development Block Grant recipients to provide funding to organizations that administer housing services for those in recovery who are transitioning from treatment to the workforce. The total funding provided in the bill for the Community Development Block Grant program is over $3 billion – Kentucky would receive a portion of those funds.

“Reliable housing is a vital part of long-term sobriety, and I was proud to ensure this funding legislation will support those efforts for men and women continuing their recovery,” said Senator McConnell. “As soon as President Trump signed my CAREER Act into law, I immediately began working with federal agencies to ensure its implementation will help Kentuckians in need. I spoke with U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson earlier this month and encouraged him to prioritize funding for areas hardest hit by the opioid and substance abuse epidemic, like a number of communities across the Commonwealth.”

WESTERN KENTUCKY PARKWAYS

Senator McConnell inserted a provision to address federal vehicle weight limitations on the William H. Natcher and Julian M. Carroll Purchase Parkways in Western Kentucky. In 2015, Senator McConnell worked with Representative Brett Guthrie (KY-02) to designate the existing Natcher Parkway between Owensboro and Bowling Green as a future spur of Interstate 65 in an effort to help foster economic development in the region.

The Purchase Parkway between Calvert City and Fulton will become part of Interstate 69. Because both parkways have received federal interstate designation, they will be subject to federal weight limitations, which could affect haulers of coal, livestock, grain and other agricultural producers who use these roads to move products to market. The provision Senator McConnell inserted in the bill allows for haulers to continue to legally operate on these highways. Along with Congressman Guthrie, Senator McConnell has also worked on the issue with Congressman James Comer (KY-01).

“The Natcher and Purchase Parkways are important to the continued economic development of Western Kentucky, and I was proud to use my role as Senate Majority Leader to deliver,” said Senator McConnell. “These parkways are critical routes used by Kentucky farmers, coal workers, and small-business owners to get their products to market in a more cost-effective manner, and my provision will allow them to continue to do so. I’d also like to thank Congressmen Guthrie and Comer for their partnership.”

GREEN RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

The funding measure also contains a provision to direct the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove regulatory barriers to expedite the establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge.  In 2018, Senator McConnell secured language to direct the Department of Interior to establish the Green River National Wildlife Refuge to support conservation, hunting and fishing opportunities in Western Kentucky.

“I’m proud to include language to ensure the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will move expeditiously to establish the Green River National Wildlife Refuge,” said Senator McConnell. “Kentuckians treasure our home state’s beauty and natural resources, and we are ready to enjoy the many benefits the Refuge will offer.”   

“I appreciate Senator McConnell’s efforts to expedite the establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge in Henderson County. This refuge will be an exciting new addition to the Henderson community by providing improved conservation of fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as providing for improved access for public outdoor recreation,” said Mike Morton, Henderson resident and retired wildlife biologist.

The measure also includes the following national priorities that benefit Kentucky:

• $280 million for the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program which will provide resources to and support coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement officials in Kentucky’s HIDTA areas.

• $347 million to fund DOJ’s programs under the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA). This includes a $12 million increase from FY 2018 to expand the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) to offer prevention and education programs for youth, community engagement by law enforcement, response teams to assist children dealing with the aftermath of opioid addiction, and family court programming relating to treatment for opioids.

• A total of $40 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Heroin and Anti-Methamphetamine Task Force programs, which support local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to investigate the unlawful distribution of heroin, prescription opioids, and methamphetamines.

• $423.5 million for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program to help local communities meet law enforcement needs.

• $178 million to address rape kit and other DNA evidence backlogs via Community Teams to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit program, and DNA Initiatives including the Debbie Smith program.

• $700 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s competitive Fire and SAFER grant program to help local communities meet fire response needs.

• $100 million for the STOP School Violence Act to provide funds for school security improvements and investment in early intervention and prevention programs in an effort to help stop school violence before it occurs.