Congresswoman Beatty Votes “For the People” and to Keep Government Open
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation, H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865, to fund federal government agencies and related services for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020. U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) voted in support of both measures, issuing the following statement after the vote.
"I voted for the government funding bills because they provide desperately-needed money for some of our nation's most critical programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families everywhere, including early childhood through post-secondary education, affordable housing, job training, Social Security, nutrition for newborns, seniors, and working families, and—for the first time in over two decades—gun violence prevention research. In addition, this agreement helps veterans, gives a pay raise to our brave servicemembers, supports safety enhancements at places of worship, and funds the Census, ensuring everyone is counted and that the Central Ohio community receives proper funding for things like anti-poverty programs, highway and road maintenance, and community health initiatives.
No bill is perfect, but as a whole this legislative package is good for veterans, seniors, students, the Armed Forces, the middle-class, and hardworking families. I stand with the people of Ohio's Third Congressional District today and every day."
Of note, included in the funding agreements was a provision authored by Beatty requiring the U.S. Department of Treasury to include in its reporting an analysis of the costs and availability of terrorism insurance for places of worship. This provision will help lawmakers determine the level of federal funding for grants that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gives out to nonprofits, under the DHS Nonprofit Security Grant Program, to help offset the costs of target-hardening and other security enhancements.
H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865 Funding Highlights
- $550 million increase for Head Start, $550 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and a $25 million increase for Preschool Development Grants.
- $450 million increase for Title I Grants to local educational agencies, $400 million more for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) State Grants, $163 million increase for higher education programs, $42 million increase for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as $93 million more for minority-serving institutions, and a $150 increase to the Pell Grant max award (new maximum award is $6,345).
- $98 million for the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Program ($3 million increase), $40 million for a new grant program for community colleges to train people for in-demand jobs, almost $30 million more for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Grants, a $25 million increase for Job Corps, and a $15 million increase for registered apprenticeships.
- Fully funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at $6 billion, increases funding for child nutrition programs by $474 million, and—for the first time ever—Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reserve funds are available for three full years.
- Provides a 3.1 percent pay raise for members of the military and government civilian employees.
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