American Lung Association on Passage of FY19 Appropriations 'Mini-bus' 2

Statement of American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer in response to the Senate's passage of four appropriations bills, including Interior-Environment and Agriculture-FDA, which fund the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, respectively:

"The Senate's passage of the fiscal year 2019 Minibus 2 is a victory for lung health and a much-needed return to bipartisan, regular order. The American Lung Association thanks Chairman Shelby and Vice Chairman Leahy for their continued bipartisan commitment to keeping out policy riders that would weaken protections from the health impacts of tobacco and air pollution. Protecting the health of our nation should always be a nonpartisan issue.

"We also congratulate all members of the Appropriations Committee for working to advance these bills before the end of the fiscal year. Their continued to commitment to regular order and bipartisanship serves the nation well.

"Now, as both chambers work toward final bills, they must reject the harmful riders in the House-passed versions of both the Agriculture-FDA and the Interior-Environment bills to protect public health. The American Lung Association also urges conferees to reject the EPA funding cuts in the House-passed version."