Congressman McNerney Announces Fiscal Year 2014 Funding Vital To The San Joaquin Valley

Press Release

Last week Congress passed fiscal year 2014 appropriations legislation, H.R. 3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, that provides funding for programs and operations essential to the San Joaquin Valley. This bill was signed into law on January 17, 1014.

"I remain committed to bolstering our local economy, creating family-wage jobs, improving educational opportunities for our youth, and fighting for our veterans. Investing in programs that will aid a region hard hit by the economic downturn helps to ensure our community's future for success." said Rep. McNerney

H.R. 3547 contains language championed by Rep. McNerney that passed the House of Representatives in June 2013 that requires quarterly reports from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on claims processing times and the efforts being taken to reduce the claims backlog. Specifically, the VA will report on the average time to complete a disability compensation claim and the number of claims pending more than 125 days. Congressman McNerney originally wrote a letter detailing the need for quarterly reports from regional offices with an average wait time in excess of 200 days to the Subcommittee on Military Construction and was included by the House Appropriations Committee in order to increase of oversight and accountability for reducing the backlogs of claims.

"The claims backlogs at the Oakland regional office and other VA offices across the country remain unacceptable. It's essential that we hold the VA accountable for delivering timely benefits and services to our veterans. The men and women who have sacrificed for this nation deserve no less," said Congressman McNerney.

H.R. 3547 includes Congressman McNerney's amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014, which increases funding for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program by $10 million. Youth ChalleNGe targets teenagers who have dropped out of high school and provides them with the life skills and education needed to help them turn their lives around.

"I am pleased that the Youth ChalleNGe program will receive additional funding so that it can continue serving youth throughout California. This cost-effective program gives disadvantaged youth a second chance by helping set them on a path for success."

In addition, $751,000 for the San Joaquin Feasibility River Study was included in H.R. 3547. Congressman McNerney has continually advocated for this project to Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Lower San Joaquin River Feasibility Study is essential for flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and the state's water supply. In California, 24 million people rely on the protected water supply from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region. This water supply provides irrigation to seven million acres of agricultural land across the state.

"Delta families, farmers, and small business owners rely on flood protection. Funding this study will eventually create jobs, improve our infrastructure, and protect the water supply in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta," said Congressman McNerney.

The Appropriations Bill also delays some premium increases in the National Flood Insurance Program.

"This is an important step toward resolving flood insurance rate hikes that have hit residents in our region, and I will continue working on this issue" said McNerney.

Lastly, the Port of Stockton was awarded $5,573,000 for operations and maintenance dredging. The money for maintenance dredging will help keep the channels clear, improve productivity, expand operations and create new jobs. "The Port of Stockton is an essential component for California and our region, creating jobs and ensuring that California's vast products are able to reach around the globe."

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