Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Make Historic Investments in Jobs, Opportunity, Working Families with New Government Funding Package

Press Release

Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to make historic investments in American jobs, opportunity and working families with H.R. 4502, a package to fund the federal government in the next fiscal year. This essential legislation will improve the health and financial security of American families -- while also investing in clean energy, public health and education to set America up for future success.

"With this funding package, Democrats are following through on our pledge to Build Back Better by investing in jobs, opportunity and working families," said Rep. Watson Coleman. "The crucial programs in these bills will deliver historic investments in jobs, infrastructure, education, public health and more that will meet the needs of the American people in this critical moment. I am proud to support this package, which puts children and families first as we work to build a stronger, cleaner, brighter future."

For the upcoming fiscal year, the House bundled seven government funding bills into a single "minibus" package. In this essential legislation, House Democrats have included landmark investments in nutrition, public health, education, veterans and other key social programs that will create new jobs and lift up working families in the wake of the pandemic, while advancing equity and justice for underserved communities and businesses.

Across the nation, the minibus will invest more federal dollars in:

· Health: SNAP, WIC and child nutrition, as well as programs to expand access to quality, affordable health care

· Clean Energy: setting America on course for a secure energy future and creating tens of thousands of good-paying green jobs with investments in clean energy and science

· Education: Title I and Special Education, Pell Grants and other financial assistance, and Minority-Serving Institutions including HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities

· Public Health: bolstering the CDC to fight future pandemics, as well as more funding to pursue scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and cancer, treat substance abuse, and improve mental health and maternal and child health

· Veterans: supporting veterans' health -- including women's health care and mental health -- as well as initiatives to combat veterans' homelessness, create economic opportunities and rebuild military infrastructure

· Infrastructure: creating tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, including airports, highways, transit, rail and port systems, and directing more funding toward rural development including broadband, rental and other housing initiatives

New Jerseyans will feel the impact of the new federal dollars included in this historic package in their families and communities. Under this new funding package, New Jersey's 12th Congressional District will receive an additional:

· $332,000 in new funding to support local job training programs for adults and youth

· $29.3 million in new funding for public schools supporting children at risk of being left behind

· $14.6 million in new funding to strengthen veterans' health care programs

"I've always said, "Show me your budget and I'll show you your priorities," Watson Coleman continued. "This funding package is For The People, investing our tax dollars in what matters most: our workers, families and communities. From food stamps to early education to strengthening our public health to creating new clean energy jobs, this crucial legislation makes key investments in vital lifelines for so many. I look forward to helping New Jerseyans take full advantage of everything this legislation will deliver."

Each fiscal year, which runs from October through September, Congress must pass legislation to fund the federal government and all of the vital programs it administers. The minibus package that passed today will fund the following areas of the federal government: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

This package now goes to the Senate for consideration.

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