Trump signs first spending 'minibus' into law

President Trump today signed a fiscal year 2019 “minibus” spending package to fund military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, energy and water development and the legislative branch.

The bill includes $97 billion for military construction and veterans' care, $44.6 billion for energy and water programs and $4.8 billion for essential operations and security for Congress, the U.S. Capitol and support agencies, according to a statement from Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL).

The bill also provides $11.1 billion for nuclear weapons, $458 million more than in FY-18, for weapons activities within the National Nuclear Security Administration. Additionally, the bill provides $1.9 billion to fund the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program, $169 million more than in FY-18.

Shelby looked ahead to next week in his statement, noting that a different minibus that would provide $675 billion for defense is scheduled to reach the president.

“The funding Congress will send to the president next week will continue a historic rebuilding of our nation’s military,” Shelby said. “I am very pleased to help the president deliver on his commitment to America’s veterans and soldiers by providing robust and timely finding, through an open process and in a bipartisan manner.”