WASHINGTON DC (December 17, 2019) — Representative Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House passed legislation to fully fund the government for fiscal year 2020 and ensure the government remains open. The bill contains many important provisions that Rep Loebsack fought to get into the bill, including a retroactive extension of the biodiesel tax-credit, a robust infrastructure package, an expansion of broadband access in rural areas, and robust investments in our veterans and health-care systems. Additionally, Rep Loebsack successfully fought to increase the funding set aside for distributed wind technologies, increasing the amount available from $5 million to $10 million. The bill now heads to the Senate for its consideration.
“I am pleased an agreement to fully fund the government was finally agreed to, avoiding another needless shutdown. The legislation that passed today represents a bipartisan compromise that while not what I would have written, does contain many provisions that are important to the people of Iowa. I am especially pleased that a last-minute agreement was reached to extend the biodiesel tax-credit that is vital to the thousands of people working in the industry and benefits our environment and fuel supply. These job-creating, life-saving investments will help grow our economy and ensure the government won’t shutdown,” said Rep Loebsack.
Highlights of funding in the legislation include:
TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
- $1 billion for National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER/BUILD). The bill also ensures parity between urban and rural grant awards.
- $3.4 billion for Community Development Block Grants.
- $1.35 billion for HOME Investment Partnership Program.
- $2.8 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants.
- $2.2 billion for highway infrastructure projects.
EDUCATION
- $1.2 billion for Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants, which go toward school counseling and mental-health services, technology investments and STEM education.
- A $150 boost to the maximum Pell Grant award, which would be set at $6,345.
- Increases for Head Start, TRIO, IDEA, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and Title I-A grants, which go to schools with high percentages of low-income children.
- $120 million for NASA STEM engagement programs for young and future scientist and engineers.
- $8.28 billion for the National Science Foundation.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- $3.28 billion overall for total State and Local Law Enforcement Activities; including $547.2 million for the Byrne-JAG program and $180 million to address sexual-assault kit and DNA-evidence backlogs.
- $440 million for the Legal Services Corporation which helps provide legal assistance to underserved communities.
HOMELAND
- $17.8 billion for FEMA disaster-response and recovery efforts.
AGRICULTURE
- $3.8 billion for rural-development programs, including $1.45 billion for rural water and waste program loans and more than $545 million in water and waste grants.
- $640 million for the expansion of broadband service.
- $6.9 billion for rural electric and telephone infrastructure loans.
ENERGY AND WATER
- $2.79 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), including $10 million for distributed wind technologies.
- $7.65 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers.
VETERANS AFFAIRS
- $9.4 billion for VA mental health services and programs, a $1 billion increase over last year.
- $125 million above the budget request for hiring additional claims and appellate staff to continue reducing the disability claims backlog. This includes funding to hire additional staff to process incoming Blue Water Navy Claims as a result of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.
HEALTH-CARE
- $41.7 billion for National Institutes of Health including $2.8 billion for Alzheimer’s Research and $3.1 billion for HIV/AIDS research.
- $19 million for the national Suicide Lifeline operations and $16 million for the Zero Suicide program.
- $286 million for Title X Family Planning program.
- Additional $492.5 million for cancer research at the DOD.
- $1.5 billion in funding for state opioid epidemic response efforts.
- Raises tobacco age to 21.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
- $261 million for Entrepreneurial Development Programs at the Small Business Administration, including $135 million for Small Business Development Centers and $22.5 million for Women’s Business Centers.
LEG BRANCH
- Prevents an increase in pay for Members of Congress.
SERVICE
- $1.1 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service, including $221 million for Senior Corps.
