U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today celebrated the Senate passage of two bills packaging together the 12 full-year appropriations measures to fund the U.S. government during fiscal year 2020. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1158 and H.R.1865 on Tuesday, and the Senate passed these measures, which include priorities for Georgia today. The legislation now moves to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law. 

“From full funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, to the Feed the Future Innovation Labs at Fort Valley State University, to funding for critical research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to the permanent repeal of Obamacare’s taxes on medical devices and health insurance, I’m pleased that the final bills we pass during my time in the U.S. Senate include so much good news for Georgia and the United States,” said Isakson. “These provisions will help secure a bright future for America.”

A number of Isakson-supported provisions are included in the final measure, including:

·  Full funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project for fiscal year 2020 of $130.28 million to keep Georgia’s number one economic development project on track.

·  The Hurricanes Florence and Michael and California Wildfire Tax Relief Act, to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Michael and other natural disasters from 2018.  

·  The Preserving America’s Battlefields Act to help ensure our nation’s living memorials honoring those who fought for our freedoms are protected for current and future generations.

·  The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, called the SECURE Act, to improve retirement preparations, encourage saving for retirement and help ensure hardworking Americans can plan in advance so they do not outlive their retirement savings. 

·  Funding for new resources to modernize public health data collection at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and across the country.

·  Funding for a new building, thereby saving taxpayer dollars by avoiding a long-term lease, as well as for enhanced research collaboration at the CDC.

·  The permanent repeal of Obamacare’s taxes on medical devices and health insurance, protecting consumers from the cost of these taxes and removing a burden on innovators and American manufacturers in the life sciences sector.

·  Funding for $90 million for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment State Grants, which is an increase of $5 million over fiscal year 2019 appropriations, and $56 million for Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Grants, which is an increase of $16 million over 2019 funding.

·  Funding for three Feed the Future Innovation Labs at $55 million. Two labs are located at the University of Georgia in Athens, and a collaborating lab is located at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley. 

·  The Kay Hagan Tick Act to improve research, prevention, diagnostics and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Former U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., recently passed away after succumbing to complications of the tick-borne Powassan virus. Isakson’s older sister died at a very young age from the fatal results of a tick bite.

·  Increased access to pro-bono legal services for underserved and low-income veterans who face barriers to obtaining and keeping their benefits, a service in development through the University of Georgia.

·  Funding for border security and border wall construction and technology, and no reduction in the number of detention beds available for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

·  Funding for priorities included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to strengthen national security in the face of evolving global threats.

·  A 3.1% pay raise for our nation’s service members.