WASHINGTON, D.C.— House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after the House passed a funding extension bill through March 23, that includes a full year of appropriation for the Department of Defense for the 2018 fiscal year, provides funding extensions for critical public health programs and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and a permanent extension of the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act of 2017.

“I am glad the House once again took care of our business by voting to keep our nation safe by fully funding our military and keeping our government open.

“Importantly for Louisiana, we extended the National Flood Insurance Program, giving families certainty that this vital program will remain up and running.

“I am especially pleased with the inclusion of a permanent extension of the Steve Gleason Act, legislation I introduced earlier this Congress with our Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Steve Gleason has been a heroic advocate for patients that struggle with speech impairments since he began his own battle with ALS, and the Steve Gleason Act ensures that people battling ALS and other debilitating diseases will be able to have access to speech-generating devices so they can have a voice and live life to their fullest.

“I encourage Senate Democrats to do their jobs and fund the military and vote to keep our government open, and avoid the dangerous political games they played last month and not hold our military men and women hostage to unrelated issues.”