Stefanik Votes to Pass Appropriations Bill that Delivers Funding for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik voted to pass the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Actfor FY25 which secures $50 million in funding for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to preserve and protect Lake Champlain in the North Country. The legislation also allocates funding to help our ally Israel as it continues to fight against terrorist attacks, fully funds the Countering the People's Republic of China's Influence Fund at $400 million, and slashes dozens of wasteful government programs to save taxpayer funds.

"I'm proud to advance $50 million in funding for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission through the FY25 appropriations bill to help in their important efforts to combat invasive species and protect Lake Champlain's watershed biodiversity," said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. "This bill also supports our precious ally Israel as they continue their fight for their right to exist, pushes back on Communist China's efforts to undermine our national security, and saves hardworking taxpayer dollars by slashing multiple wasteful programs."

Key Conservative Wins

• Supports our great ally Israel by including $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel to defend itself against terrorist attacks and prohibiting funding for the International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice, United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA), and the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.
• Counters the People's Republic of China (PRC) providing $2.1 billion for United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and to counter malign influence and including $500 million in Foreign Military Financing for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait and up to $2 billion in loans and loan guarantees for such purpose.
• Strengthens our national security prioritizing funding and policies to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States and prohibiting funds that encourage or facilitate irresponsible migration towards the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Responsibly refocuses taxpayer resources by eliminating funding for the United Nations' (UN) regular budget, resulting in savings of $761.6 million, eliminating eight accounts in the bill, including the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund, International Organizations and Programs, Contribution to the Clean Technology Fund, and Contributions to the Inter-American Development Bank, reducing 14 accounts in the bill below the FY19 enacted level, including Contributions to International Organizations, Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities, Economic Support Fund, Migration and Refugee Assistance, and Peacekeeping Operations, reducing 14 accounts in the bill to the FY19 enacted level, including the United States Agency for Global Media, Peace Corps, and International Development Association, terminating more than 18 unnecessary programs, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Women, UN Montreal Protocol, UN Environment Fund, and World Economic Forum.
• Supports American values and principles by prohibiting funds for controversial organizations and programs, such as the United Nations Population Fund, World Health Organization, and Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund, supporting religious freedom programs abroad and religious freedom protections for faith-based organizations delivering foreign aid, prohibiting funds for unnecessary regulations and controversial Executive Orders that disadvantage American businesses.

Permalink: https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/6/stefanik-votes-to-pass-appropriations-bill-that-delivers-funding-for-the-great-lakes-fishery-commission