Cities Applaud Congress for Passage of Bipartisan Spending Package

WASHINGTON — May 4, 2017 — This afternoon, Congress passed the fiscal year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which funds the federal government through the end of September. Despite earlier proposals, the final deal includes no cuts to crucial programs for community development, education and public health. In response to today’s bipartisan agreement, National League of Cities (NLC) President Matt Zone, councilmember, Cleveland, released the following statement:

“We called upon members of Congress to reject any plan that cut federal investment in cities and towns, and that is exactly what they did. Today’s bipartisan action is a major victory for the National League of Cities, cities and towns nationwide, and the hundreds of local leaders who stood with us to fight the cuts and save crucial programs for cities.

“More than 700 city leaders made phone calls, sent letters, held town halls, wrote op-eds, signed our action letter and told Congress to stand with cities. We sent a clear message: If our federal elected leaders truly want to make America a safer and better place to live, don’t cut the programs that provide a bridge for millions of Americans moving into the middle class.

“Congress heard our message, and it is now up to the president to sign this bill. As we look toward the fiscal year 2018 budget, local leaders will continue to defend the tried and proven programs that help cities build stronger communities.”