(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, was pleased that critical national and South Florida investments are contained in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2018, and in voting for it she applauded the Democrats effort to defeat numerous attacks on environmental protection, and worker and women’s health rights that Republicans sought to include in the $1.3 trillion spending plan. Additionally, Democrats successfully fought to lift the irresponsible budget caps which then allowed critical investments to be made through this bill.
“This Omnibus is far from perfect, but it makes strong investments in veterans’ health care, infrastructure, medical research, national security, child care and many other critical funding priorities,” Wasserman Schultz said. “It also makes vital investments benefitting all Floridians, including level funding for Everglades’ restoration, as well as funds for shore protections and hurricane restoration efforts.”
“This spending plan not only stops the wasteful, senseless temporary funding measures Republicans have come to rely upon, but it repudiates the atrocious and cruel budget that President Trump asked Congress to support,” she said. “Democrats stood strong, and America’s children, seniors and middle class will be healthier, safer and stronger because of it.”
Wasserman Schultz was especially pleased to secure passage and funding for many of her key legislative priorities:
· Holocaust Survivor’s Assistance – $5 million, up from $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 2017.
· PALS Act – Moratorium on mammography limitations expanded to female veterans and extended for all women beginning at age 40.
· Rape Survivor Child Custody Act – Funded at $1.5 million.
· Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act grant funding – $1.1 million
· Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants – $416 million
· Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program – $50 million, $25 million more than FY 2017.
· EARLY Act – Breast Cancer Awareness for Young Women funding – $5 million.
· Veterans PARC Act – Alleviates VA center parking shortages in Miami and around the country.
· Internet Crimes Against Children task forces to combat online child exploitation – at least $29 million, with $1 million dedicated to the hiring and training of wounded veterans to serve as digital forensic analysts or investigators.
Wasserman Schultz offered special thanks for the dedicated hard work and professionalism of her House Appropriations Committee colleagues and staff, including Ranking Member Nita Lowey, Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Charlie Dent.
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