Case's Appropriations Committee $1 Trillion Fiscal Year 2020 Funding Bill Passes House

Statement

U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai"i -- District 1) announced that today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2740, the first upcoming Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill including close to $1 trillion in overall federal spending and millions in federal funding for Hawai'i-specific programs.

The full House approved the overall recommendations of its Committee on Appropriations, the powerful panel responsible for over $1.3 trillion in annual federal discretionary spending. Case was appointed to the Appropriations Committee on his return to Congress this year, the first committee member from Hawai'i in three decades.

The bill passed today includes appropriations for the fiscal year beginning October 1st of this year in the areas of defense labor, health, human services, education, foreign operations, energy and water. One or more further bills, which the House majority has committed to passing by the end of June to keep the government on track to full funding in Fiscal Year 2020, will cover remaining areas including transportation, housing and urban development, military construction, veterans, interior, environment, homeland security, financial services, agriculture, commerce, science and justice.

"Since my return to Congress and appointment to Appropriations, one of my top priorities has been both responsible and prudent allocation of our financial resources on national priorities and assuring that our small state receives its fair share of federal funds targeted to our unique needs," said Case.

"This first appropriations bill does all of that. It reflects not only my interaction with many throughout Hawai'i as to specific needs but also my coordination of priorities and requests with my colleagues in Hawaii's congressional delegation."

Case provided the following highlights of just some sections of the over 600-page bill:

Native Hawaiian programs see an increase in funding
"I am very pleased to have achieved increased federal funding for several programs that provide key assistance to Native Americans and Native Hawaiians in the areas of healthcare and education," said Case. "That will mean programs administered by such agencies including Alu Like, INPEACE, Keiki O Ka "Āina (KOKA), Partners in Development and the University of Hawai"i Center on Disability Studies can be assured that funds can be accessed to service the needs of Native Hawaiians."

East-West Center is funded for next year
"In my short time on the Appropriations Committee, I have also worked to restore funding for programs that were previously zeroed out in the House. For example, while the East-West Center lacked support in previous years, I am pleased that the House has agreed to provide $17 million to continue the Center's key work in Fiscal Year 2020."

Defense spending for Hawai"i goes up
"The defense provisions of the bill clearly reflect that the House shares my prioritization of the Asia-Pacific region. Hawai"i is in a forward position in this area and is home to the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). It is the largest combatant command in terms of area of responsibility and assets, but it needs additional resources. I am pleased to have successfully advocated for increased funding for such vital areas as missile defense, computer modernization, and even Impact Aid for the continued education of dependent children whose parents are based in Hawai"i."

Hawai"i harbors to receive funding assistance
"As another of my priorities, the bill increased funding for an account that is set aside for the operations and maintenance of harbors across the country. Harbors in Hawai"i will benefit from that increase including funds for Barbers Point and Honolulu Harbors, as well as ports on Kaua"i and the Big Island."

The bill now moves to the Senate for its action. "My services on House Appropriations together with Senator Brian Schatz's membership on Senate Appropriations give Hawai"i a powerful one-two punch, to go with each of the delegation's additional membership on key authorizing committees such as Armed Services", said Case. "I look forward to working with the Senate to ensure that the House funding approvals are secured and where possible expanded."

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