WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today supported the Senate’s passage of H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies minibus appropriations bill, after serving on the Conference Committee to negotiate the House and Senate’s differences in their respective versions of H.R. 6157.

“This legislation will help expedite the construction of a new school for students living on Fort Riley, will modernize the Department of Defense and will provide a significant boost in NIH and opioid crisis resources,” said Sen. Moran. “I’m pleased the Senate has worked diligently to advance our appropriations bills and return to regular order to bring sorely-needed stability to the annual budget and appropriations process.”

Sen. Moran is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies.

Other members of the Conference Committee for H.R. 6157 included Senators Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Highlights of H.R. 6157:

• Provides funding for replacing elementary schools on Fort Riley. The final conference report that passed the Senate today provides $270 million for the Department of Defense to continue to replace schools that were identified by the 2011 Public Schools on Military Installations Priority List, including Jefferson Elementary School in USD 475 located on Fort Riley.
• Protects critical missions of the Kansas Army National Guard. The conference report contains language to promote and safeguard the Advanced Turbine Engine Army Maintenance (ATEAM) military special repair activity, located on Fort Riley and conducted by the Kansas Army National Guard.
• Promotes the use of Cyber Red Teams, such as the 177th Aggressor Squadron of the Kansas Air National Guard. The conference report contains language directing the Department of Defense to devote more resources to the cyber preparedness of defense weapons systems to reduce vulnerabilities through the use of NSA-certified Cyber Red Teams, such as the 177th Aggressor Squadron of the Kansas Air National Guard.
• Increases funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The conference report provides increased NIH funding to continue important research that will lead to improved treatments, will improve patient quality of life and will help researchers work to find new cures for debilitating diseases.
• Allocates significant resources to help curb the opioid crisis. The conference report provides funding to fight opioid abuse while supporting treatment centers for addiction, as well as increasing funding for mental health programs.
• Expands the use of telecommunications technologies in rural communities. This conference report increases funding for rural health programs and will provide assistance in overcoming obstacles for both providers and patients in rural communities, including the expanded use of telecommunications technologies.
• Works to preserve access to emergency care services in rural communities. The conference report directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to work with states and associations of rural hospitals to develop pilot programs, waivers, or program flexibility that demonstrate sustainable service delivery model options for rural communities, specifically focused on preserving access to emergency care services and supporting future financial viability of rural facilities. 

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