Congresswoman Tenney Votes for Omnibus Providing Vital Resources for the 22nd District

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) voted to keep our government funded and provide vital services for New York's 22nd District.

"This funding package is not ideal and the increase in spending is of serious concern. However, this funding will provide crucial stability to programs that benefit the 22nd district where a corrupt state government has robbed its citizens of freedom and economic opportunity. This funding agreement makes historic investments in our military and will reverse much of the damage done by the previous administration. It also targets funding to fight the opioid epidemic that is devastating families across the 22ndDistrict every day," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

"This agreement includes numerous priorities that I have fought to secure on behalf of the groundbreaking work being done at Rome Lab. This agreement allocates over $200 million in funding for Rome Lab which represents a 10% increase from the previous year.

This funding agreement fixes the Section 199A disparity, allowing small agricultural businesses to compete on a level playing field--something that I strongly advocated for in Congress.

I was a leading voice and a co-sponsor on the STOP School Violence Act which provides resources to properly train students, teachers, school officials and local law enforcement to strengthen safety and security in our schools. Many of the important provisions in this bill were included in the final funding package. Although this legislation is not perfect, this bill addresses priorities for our district for which I have aggressively advocated since I took my oath of office."

Congresswoman Tenney advocated for critical priorities vital to New York's 22nd District:

Military:

- $5 million for Rome Lab UAS research.

- Funding for the Civil Air Patrol

- 2.4% pay raise for troops

- Over $200 million in funding for the Air Force Research Lab Information Directorate Rome

Agriculture:

- Fixes the Section 199A disparity. Congresswoman Tenney sent a letter requesting this fix with 86 House members.

- Includes $6.9B for rural electric and infrastructure loans.

- Includes $685M for expansion of broadband, distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas.

Increased funding to combat the opioid epidemic:

- $4 billion total investment in combatting the opioid crisis

-including $415M for the Office of National Drug Control Policy

-includes $280M for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas

- $386M to combat opioid abuse among our nation's veterans.

- increase of $37M for DEA's opioid diversion program.

FEMA:

- includes $1.9B for flood and storm damage reduction projects.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG):

- CDBG funds local community development activities such as affordable housing, anti-poverty programs, and infrastructure development. Congresswoman Tenney wrote a letter asking for $3.3 billion and this funding bill provides $3.3B for CDBG corresponds with that ask.

Community Services Block Grants(CSBG)

- People in the 22nd District heavily rely on CSGB. This funding agreement provides $742M for Community Services Block Grants. This is above the request Congresswoman Tenney requested for fiscal year 2018.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP):

- Congresswoman Tenney opposed President Trump's plan to eliminate this critical funding. This funding agreement set aside $3.46 billion for this crucial service.

Tax Reform:

- Includes $320M to the IRS to properly implement the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Education:

- $50 million increase for apprenticeship programs

- $75 million increase for career and technical training

- $300 million increase in special education funding

- TRIO increased by $60 million

- Maximum Pell Grant award increased to $6,095

- $1.1 billion, $700 million above the fiscal year 2017 level, for grants to states and school districts:

- expand school-based mental health services and supports;

- bullying prevention;

- and for professional development for personnel in crisis management

- school-based violence prevention strategies.

Source