Graham Backs Year-End Spending Bill

Press Release

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today voted in support of legislation to fund the federal government through fiscal year 2016. Graham cited an increase in military spending and several important South Carolina priorities in voting for the measure.

"This bill is far from perfect but it does take important steps to begin the long process of rebuilding our military. We have been asking more of our military, yet we have been asking them to do more with less. Our Armed Forces have suffered greatly from the impact of sequestration. That dynamic must change and this bill begins addressing the very real problems facing our military.

Graham also noted the legislation contains some important provisions for South Carolina including:

* Making South Carolina eligible for up to $300 million in funding to help cover losses associated with the historic October flooding in South Carolina. The funds could be used for unmet housing needs and to help the state's agricultural industry which suffered tremendous losses.

* $340 million in funding for the construction and operation of the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility at Savannah River Site. The program will turn surplus weapons-grade plutonium into nuclear fuel to power a commercial nuclear reactor. For years, the Obama Administration has exercised poor oversight over MOX and has sought to terminate the program regardless of the consequences to our nation's nonproliferation concerns or the interests of South Carolina.

* $92 million in funding to begin and complete construction of a new federal courthouse in Greenville. The new facility will be called the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Federal Courthouse, in honor of the late Governor of South Carolina. It is expected to be a 10-story building built on two acres across the street from the Greenville County Courthouse.

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