Congressman Kim Delivers Funding for New Jersey Infrastructure, Opioid Research and Veterans Suicide Prevention in Funding Deal

Statement

Today, the House of Representatives passed all twelve Fiscal Year 2020 government funding bills, which contain several provisions championed by Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) that will benefit New Jersey families.

"New Jersey families pay more than their fair share to the federal government, and in my first year, I'm proud to have fought to bring critical funding back to our communities," said Congressman Kim. "Working with Democrats and Republicans, this funding for disaster relief, clean drinking water and opioid research will make an impact in Burlington and Ocean Counties. I look forward to working with our neighbors and speaking out in Congress in the next year to ensure that our local priorities are funded and supported."

Congressman Kim led several bipartisan efforts to increase funding for critical programs that help New Jersey businesses and families. The funding was successfully allocated as follows:

-$177 million for the Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance Program that helps small businesses and homeowners recover from natural disasters and flooding. This program has been used in Burlington and Ocean Counties this year during increased periods of flooding.
-$1.45 billion in funds for the USDA Water and Sewer program that will help build new infrastructure for safe drinking water. 1.5 million New Jerseyans are served by a water utility that has been cited for excessive contaminants since 2014.
-$500 million in dedicated funding for research to develop and test treatment models to help those struggling with opioid and addiction issues. Congressman Kim also voted to pass $3.8 billion for opioid prevention and treatment programs.
-$222 million for veteran suicide prevention and outreach programs to address the estimated 20 veterans who die by suicide per day affording to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
-Continued support for renewable energy programs at military bases like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

In addition to his efforts to deliver funds for New Jersey, Congressman Kim, as a member of the National Defense Authorization Act conference committee, helped deliver a 3.1 percent pay raise for military service members, funding for new jobs in Burlington County through a next-generation naval defense project, the phasing out dangerous PFAS chemicals that impact military community groundwater, increased access to job training programs and doubled funding for military spouse relicensing fees, and the establishment of "Black Start" exercises on joint military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Small Business.

Source