Congressman Joe Morelle Votes to Pass Appropriations Package That Puts Our Communities First

Press Release

oday, Congressman Joe Morelle joined House colleagues in passing the first Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 appropriations package, H.R. 7069. This package includes funding for State-Foreign Operations, Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA, Interior-Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

"The investments that we made here today are more than just a commitment to our community, they're firm action items that will help Monroe County continue to grow and heal as we emerge from this pandemic," said Rep. Morelle. "I am especially pleased that this package prioritizes public health, strengthens food security, helps our climate, and supports veterans and service members across our country. As we continue to navigate our way through a pandemic, it's more important than ever that we renew our promise to expand opportunities for every person in every corner of the nation."

Highlights of this appropriations package include:

CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

Gives FDA legal authority to require the recall of unsafe prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Restores funding for the World Health Organization, a vital U.S. partner in the fight against COVID-19, which President Trump has threatened to cut off

FOOD SECURITY

Fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with $68.277 billion
Funds $25.131 billion for child nutrition programs
Funds 5.75 billion for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Blocks two SNAP rules by the Trump administration designed to restrict program eligibility

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

$13.83 billion for the Department of the Interior, $304 million above fiscal year 2020
$9.38 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, $318 million above fiscal year 2020

VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

Provides $12.5 billion in emergency appropriations for VA to address sharply rising health care costs
Veterans Medical Care -- $90.0 billion, $9.8 billion above fiscal year 2020
Mental Health Care -- $10.3 billion
Homeless Assistance Programs -- $1.9 billion
Gender-Specific Care for Women -- $661 million

INFRASTRUCTURE

$15.17 billion in water infrastructure and other infrastructure programs
$990 million for the Rural Broadband ReConnect Program, $435 million above fiscal year 2020

Source