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Congressman David Scott (GA-13), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, voted to make historic investments in American jobs, opportunity and working families in the appropriations omnibus package to fund the federal government in the next fiscal year. 

Each fiscal year, which runs from October through September, Congress must pass legislation to fund the federal government and all the vital programs it administers.  The appropriations government funding package with funding to respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in metro-Atlanta now goes to the Senate for consideration.

“The 2022 funding bill does more than keep the lights on for another fiscal year, it demonstrates in a moment of local and global crises what America values and is willing to invest in at home and abroad,” said Congressman David Scott.  “Key investments in jobs, infrastructure, education and more ensure that this essential funding package will meet both this critical moment and the needs of the American people, especially those struggling with rising prices at the gas pump, the grocery store and the pharmacy counter. I am proud to support this package, which puts children and families first as we work to build a stronger, cleaner, brighter future.”

This government funding legislation includes significant investments to:

• Help Working Families With The Cost of Living: reducing costs by expanding child care and early learning programs to more working families, investing in America’s K-12 public schools, increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $400, expanding access to homeownership, and bringing the promise of rural broadband to more communities
• Create American Jobs: putting folks to work in good-paying jobs rebuilding our infrastructure, helping small businesses grow and thrive, fostering the green energy jobs of tomorrow, and supporting high-quality job training and apprenticeship programs so every American can contribute and succeed
• Support the Vulnerable: meeting Americans’ basic needs by strengthening nutrition assistance, funding more affordable housing and strengthening the social safety net
• Honor Our Promise to Veterans: funding benefits, bolstering the VA’s health care system and reducing backlogs
• Deliver Justice for Women and Girls: cracking down on gender-based violence with a long-overdue reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

The legislation also addresses some of our nation’s biggest challenges:

• Protecting Our National Security: with robust funding for defense, diplomacy and global development, a strong focus on cybersecurity, and investments in responsible border and maritime security that keeps us safe and respects the rights and dignity of migrants
• Confronting the Climate Crisis: through a renewed focus on environmental enforcement, pioneering funding for environmental justice, and historic investments in clean energy and climate science
• Strengthening Public Health: by rebuilding our health care infrastructure, establishing funding for President Biden’s new cancer research initiative, and confronting urgent health crises – including maternal health, mental health, substance misuse, and gun violence

Additionally, the omnibus will provide $13.6 billion in assistance for the people of Ukraine, as they face Russia’s unprovoked, premediated war.  This legislation will also unlock critical infrastructure investments that have already been authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, creating good-paying jobs across Georgia.

A detailed summary of the legislation is available here.

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