Press Releases

House Passes Funding Bill that Invests in Education, Improves Access to Healthcare, and Combats Climate Change, Among Other South Florida Priorities

Rep. Shalala Secures Additional Funding to Assist Unaccompanied Children in Shelters and Supports Amendments to Protect the Everglades and Promote Democracy in Venezuela

Washington, June 19, 2019 | Joseph.Puente@mail.house.gov (2022253931)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed a robust appropriations bill that will invest in public education, medical research and healthcare, and renewable energy and environmental conservation. Rep. Shalala’s amendment, providing funding for essential services to assist migrant children in shelter facilities, received bipartisan support and was included in the final bill.

“I’m grateful that the House is taking a stand for the thousands of children who have been detained in facilities like the shelter in Homestead,” said Rep. Shalala. “This administration’s anti-family, anti-immigrant agenda is a stain on our collective conscience. The inclusion of my amendment in this bill makes clear that we will not tolerate the unlawful denial of services to these kids.”

Rep. Shalala’s amendment responds in part to the Trump administration’s cancellation of English classes, recreational programs, and legal aid for unaccompanied minors in migrant shelters. The amendment directs the Office of Refugee Resettlement to devote increased resources to legal services, child advocates, and post-release services for these minors, reinforcing current law that requires the provision of these services to detained children.

Rep. Shalala was also a cosponsor of an amendment, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), that increases funds to promote democracy assistance and the rule of law in Venezuela. The amendment was included in the State-Foreign Operations portion of the bill.

Rep. Shalala supported and cosponsored an amendment, introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), that bars dredging for oil and gas activities within the Everglades. This amendment was included in the Energy and Water Development division.

“This bill invests in all Americans—women and servicemembers, students and workers, seniors and immigrants—and also in our planet and its natural resources” said Rep. Shalala. “We’ve passed a budget that shows compassion as well as financial prudence.”

The miniature omnibus legislation contains the Labor-HHS-Education, Energy and Water Development, State-Foreign Operations, and Defense appropriations bills.

The Labor-HHS-Education division includes:

  • Increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with funds allocated for research on Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, and cancer.
  • Funding for research on gun violence, a lifesaving investment in public safety and mental health.
  • Increased funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
  • Increased funding for the Title X Family Planning program.
  • Investments in affordable higher education through funding for Pell Grants, the Federal Work Study program, and minority-serving institutions.
  • Support for public education and increased funding for Special Education.
  • Funding for critical apprenticeship and workforce training programs, such as Job Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment for Older Americans Program.

The Energy and Water Development division includes:

  • Unprecedented investments in renewable energy through the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (ARPA-E) programs.
  • Increased funding for clean infrastructure and the Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Increased funding for Everglades restoration.

The State-Foreign Operations division includes:

  • Increased funding for humanitarian assistance for refugees.
  • Support for anti-terrorism and peacekeeping initiatives to stabilize and support struggling nations abroad.
  • Increased funding for the Peace Corps and educational and cultural exchange programs.
  • Substantial funding for global health initiatives that support women’s reproductive rights and family planning programs.
  • Report language recognizing climate change as a threat to national security.
  • A provision committing the United States to the Paris Agreement and removing the prohibition on the Green Climate Fund.

The Defense division includes:

  • Investments in healthcare for servicemembers, veterans, and their families, including funds for sexual assault prevention initiatives.
  • Increased funding for prostate cancer and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex research through the Department of Defense.
  • A provision barring funds from going towards the President’s border wall at our troops’ expense.
  • A provision ending U.S. support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen.

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