Congressman Steven Horsford Votes for Bipartisan Appropriations Package to Provide Robust Funding for Military Families, Census Count, and Community Development | Congressman Steven Horsford
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Congressman Steven Horsford Votes for Bipartisan Appropriations Package to Provide Robust Funding for Military Families, Census Count, and Community Development

December 17, 2019

Washington, D.C. — Today, December 17, 2019, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) voted to pass H.R. 1158, the national security appropriations agreement for the fiscal year 2020.

"Our military service members are the greatest asset to our national defense and it is an honor today to vote to approve funding that includes crucial improvements for their everyday lives and the lives of their families and loved ones," Congressman Horsford said. "Those who serve in our military or have served in the past have made incalculable sacrifices and this spending bill allows us to repay them by investing in our military bases and installations across the country and including funding for improvements such as a 3.1 percent pay increase, 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all federal workers."

"This agreement also secures full funding for the 2020 Census to ensure that all Americans are counted and have a voice in our democracy, a key victory for the representation of our most historically undercounted communities and other crucial investments for my state."

The national security minibus reflects Democrats' commitment to grants to help states secure our elections and to full funding for the Constitutionally-mandated Census. It invests in science programs, funds the military at a level consistent with the Bipartisan Budget Act, and provides funding for the four military bases and installations in Nevada's Fourth Congressional District, including investments for critical military operations at Nellis Air Force Base.

Importantly, this agreement does not include any funding for Yucca Mountain reauthorization or interim storage. The legislation also grants Congress unprecedented oversight for the Department of Defense spending.

This national security appropriations minibus also secures funding to:

  • Ensure a fair and accurate 2020 census

    • $7.6 billion to the Census Bureau, $3.7 billion above the fiscal year 2019 funding levels and $1.4 billion above the President's request

  • Protect our environment

    • $9 billion to the Environmental Protection Agency, $2.8 billion for energy efficiency and renewables research and $495 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund

  • Protect military personnel against gender-based violence

    • Increases funding above the request for the Department and Services' Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs for a total of $294 million, an increase of $35 million above the request.

  • Fund the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016

    • 13.5 million is provided, as authorized under the Act, including $5 million within the Civil Rights Division, $5 million within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, $1.5 million within the Community Relations Service, and $2 million within State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance.

  • Provide funding for small business and community development

    • Includes $262 million, an increase of $12 million above FY 2019 and $248 million more than the President's budget request.

    • Within the total, funding is included for two new programs: $5 million for a new Small Dollar Loan Program and $2 million for the Economic Mobility Corps.

A summary of the national security appropriations minibus can be foundhere. The text of the minibus can be foundhere.