“I want to congratulate Democratic negotiators who were able to get the best possible deal for the American people in the delayed FY2017 Omnibus Appropriations Act.  I am especially pleased that Democrats were able to:

·        Fight off attempts to legislate cutting Federal funds to so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ similar to the Trump executive order which has been stayed by the courts;

·        Win inclusion  of $295.9 million to alleviate an emergency budget shortfall in Puerto Rico;

·        Allow the Treasury Department to provide financial planning and other technical assistance to the Puerto Rican government;

·         Deny President Trump’s request for US funding for a border wall which he claimed would be paid for by Mexico.

I supported all of these provisions and I’m glad that our leadership was able to win their inclusion. This is not a perfect bill and we have a lot of work to do on FY2018 spending. But this deal is welcome news.”