Rep. Cuellar Combats Poverty through FY19 Appropriations Bill
Press Release
Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that he secured crucial funding and language in the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill to help combat poverty. His provisions also help house homeless veterans on the border, support residents of rural areas, and provide much needed assistance to colonias.
"There are communities in my district where hard-working families struggle to make ends meet, including some rural areas and colonias," said Congressman Cuellar. "Despite the challenges of poverty, these communities have amazing people who deserve a fair shot to fulfill their potential. This legislation will make sure federal resources are targeted in the right way, so all of my constituents have more opportunities to succeed."
The poverty-fighting provisions that Congressman Cuellar fought to get into the appropriations bill include:
More than $1 billion through Rep. Cuellar's "10-20-30" program: Language directing some Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Interior grants to prioritize and set aside at least 10 percent of federal funding through specific programs for counties where 20 percent or more of the population has lived in poverty over the past 30 years ("persistent poverty areas"). Webb, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, and La Salle counties meet this definition in the 28th Congressional District;
$68 million for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program grants for Colonias, Native Americans, and Alaskan Native Villages with at least 10% set aside for persistent poverty areas;
$3.69 billion, a $50 million increase from FY18, for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program, which helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs;
$1.046 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service, which helps millions of Americans improve the lives of underserved citizens;
$50 million for Rural Community Facilities Program Grants, with at least 10% set aside for persistent poverty areas;
$18 million for a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching grants program for tax return preparation assistance for underserved communities.
Language directing HUD to develop strategies for reducing veteran homelessness on US-Mexico border;
Language encouraging Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) funds to help with land acquisition and improvements associated with developing new, decent dwellings for low-income persons in colonias;
Language directing the Census to increase outreach to historically undercounted communities, including colonias; and
Language directing the DOE to provide a report to congress detailing domestic and international projects that contribute to the alleviation of poverty.
The bill also maintains funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) at $3.36 billion. The CDBG program allocates annual grants cities and counties to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, principally for low-and moderate-income persons. President Trump has threatened to eliminate this program.
In previous years, local areas within the Texas 28th District have received up to the following amounts of CDBG money for projects:
Laredo, TX -- $3,436,805.00
Rio Bravo, TX -- $201,884.00
El Cenizo, TX -- $275,000.00
Webb County, TX -- $275,000.00
Atascosa County, TX and cities within it -- $681,706.00
Wilson County, TX and cities within it -- $506 250.00
San Antonio, TX -- $11,457,418.00
Bexar County, TX -- $2,180,749.00
Mission, TX -- $904,240.00
Hidalgo County, TX -- $7,226,312.00
Zapata County, TX -- $1,314,899.00
Starr County, TX -- $3,768,812.00
The bill also included many other key legislative accomplishments for Congressman Cuellar, including support for education, clean drinking water, Rio Grande Valley citrus growers, and good governance.
Source