On Thursday, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives by just 13 votes. Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte voted in favor of this bill and he believes it will benefit many Montanans.

“For the first time in a decade, the House has passed 12 appropriations bills to fund the government on time,” said Gianforte. “The bill provides for a stronger national defense, increases troop pay, and takes care of our veterans. It rolls back or repeals unnecessary regulations that cost Montanans good-paying jobs. The legislation fully funds the treatment and prevention of wildfires as well as emergency services associated with them.”

The Interior Department and the Forest Service spend an average $3.4 billion every 10 years to treat and prevent devastating wildfires.

“The spending measure also cleans up Washington,” Gianforte said. “It roots out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government and it reforms the IRS. The House has acted. I hope the Senate will follow our lead and provide the resources we need to make America and Montana more secure and prosperous.”

The measure will also provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with 5 percent more funding than last year, which is its highest level of funding ever.

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