Suozzi: New York’s Third Districts Priorities Reflected in House-Passed Appropriations Packages

This week, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens) announced that he had secured numerous priorities for New York’s Third District and other communities across America in two packages of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills, which passed the House over the past two weeks. These bills will now advance to the Senate.

The Fiscal Year 2020 package includes $21 million for the Long Island Sound under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Geographic Programs, which help with restoration of nationally significant bodies of water including the Sound. This is a $7 million increase over last year’s appropriations. Fishing, shipping, tourism, and other Long Island Sound industries generate over $9 billion in economic benefits for the entire region every year.

“Throughout my entire career I have worked hard to preserve and protect the Long Island Sound, our national park. This funding will be used to continue that work, build up wetlands, clean the water and address the long-term issue of rising sea levels due to climate change,” said Suozzi.

Among items advocated for by Suozzi is an increased investment of $178 million dollars in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants. In March, Suozzi testified before the House Appropriations Committee urging them to increase investments in WIOA.

“When I urged the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for WIOA grants, I made it clear that in today’s economy, you must learn more to earn more,” said Congressman Suozzi. “That is why I am so proud to have voted for this critical legislation which will not only increase our investments in post-secondary education programs, but will also grow our economy, protect our environment, repair our infrastructure, and strengthen healthcare for all Americans.”

Included in appropriations for the Navy’s Environmental Restoration is nearly $366 million, of which a portion will go to the cleanup of the Navy-Grumman Plume in Bethpage.

“The cleanup of this plume is long overdue and has been an ongoing issue for 40 years,” said Suozzi. “Since arriving to Congress, one of my priorities has been to fight for investments in the Navy’s Environmental Restoration Fund which goes toward cleaning up polluted sites across the country, like the one in Bethpage.”

Additionally, Suozzi secured a $2.5 million increase for the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC), headquartered in his district, in Sands Point. This increase in the Center’s funding by will result in expanded services to individuals who are deaf-blind.

“HKNC does work that represents miracles in people’s lives. It is an honor to have this national institution headquartered in my district and I am proud that I could negotiate this increase in funding that will go a long way in helping these truly exceptional people continue to do remarkable work,” said Suozzi.

Suozzi was also successful in securing $2.5 billion for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) under the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This funding could include projects like the Glen Cove Ferry, something Suozzi has championed for years.

“The Glen Cove Ferry would provide an alternate source of transit for people commuting to New York City, reducing the number of cars on the road and railroad congestion. An estimated 350-560 passengers are expected to take the ferry daily. That is equal to taking tens of thousands of vehicle miles off the road each day and substantially mitigating railroad delays,” said Suozzi.

Appropriations bill, H.R. 2740, passed by the House two weeks ago, totals $982.8 billion and consists of four FY 2020 appropriations bills that fund federal agencies including the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State and Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development.

Appropriations bill, H.R. 3055, passed by the House last week, totals $383.3 billion and consists of five FY 2020 appropriations bills that fund federal agencies including the departments of Commerce, Justice, Agriculture, Science and related agencies, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs.

Programs that will see an increase in funding will be critical in helping to better the lives of our veterans, combat climate change, allow for research on life-threatening diseases, improve worker safety, strengthen and secure our middle class, and much more.

Below is a list of programs which received an increase of funding, in part, due to Suozzi’s advocacy:

JOBS 

• $4.9 million for Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Programs. This is an increase of $4 million from last year.
• $1.0 billion for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. This is an increase of $188 million from last year.

HEALTH

• $15 million for a peer reviewed Alzheimer’s Research Program.
• $150 million for a peer reviewed breast cancer research program.
• $35 million for a peer reviewed ovarian cancer research program.

EDUCATION

• $1.434 billion for the Federal Work Study Program.
• $16 million for the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults, an increase of $2.5 million from last year.

STRONG & SECURE COMMUNITIES

• $50 million for Gun Violence Research under the Center for Disease Control.
• $60 million for Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program.
• $5 million for Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

• $400 million for Family Planning under the Health Resources and Services Administration. This is an increase of $113 million from last year.
• $175 million for Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. This is an increase of $10.5 million from last year.

ENVIRONMENT

• $21 million for the Long Island Sound Program, an increase of $7 million from last year.
• $2.5 billion for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
• $15 million for the Climate and Health Program. This is an increase of $5 million from last year.
• $139.5 million for Global Environment Facility.

DEFENSE

• $365.883 million in funding for the Navy’s Environmental Restoration.