Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7617, the Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, for fiscal year 2021, which has included multiple of my priorities critical to the communities I represent. These provisions fund our nation's most critical programs that support individuals, families, and communities throughout their lifespan, from Early Head Start to Social Security. We are dedicated to investing in programs that provide opportunities so that every person has a better chance at a better life--with a good education, a good job, and access to affordable healthcare.

This bill provides modest increases for the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The National Science Foundation is the only agency to fund research across all fields of science and engineering, and the most important agency in terms of ensuring a diverse pipeline of STEM talent across our nation. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is the global leader in measurement science and standards, and as such plays a central role in U.S. competitiveness across all sectors of our economy. However, it is one of most underfunded agencies in our government for what it is asked to do and what it is capable of doing for our nation. In addition, our nation's progress in industries of the future such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, and 5G will simply not be possible without increased investments in these two agencies. I truly understand the difficult and sometimes delicate trade-offs that my Appropriations colleagues had to make in crafting this legislation. However, I urge my colleagues across Congress to find a way to invest in our nation's future by investing more in our nation's STEM talent.

Regarding funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), I am pleased that the bill rejects the proposed cuts to high-priority science projects, including those that will provide important climate change measurements, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. We simply cannot afford to cut-off our future--the building of our next generation's skills and the development of a 21st century workforce. Overall, the bill sustains NASA's multi-mission portfolio at the Fiscal Year 2020 enacted level of $22.629 billion, providing level or near-level funding for NASA's science, exploration, and space technology accounts, and provides $35 million increase for aeronautics, which contributes important research and development for our nation's civil aviation and air transportation system. The bill also sustains funding for critical exploration capabilities, including the Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle. Toward that end, I'm pleased that the bill continues to fund the development of an exploration upper stage-enabled Space Launch System, which will provide greater lift capacity to support our deep space exploration activities. In addition, the bill provides important flexibility to the agency in selecting a launch vehicle for the high- priority Europa Clipper science mission; that flexibility could help reduce overall mission cost while also seeking to expedite science results. It is also worth noting that the bill allows for up to $1 million from the Safety, Security, and Mission Services account to be available to meet mandated payments to the Challenger Center as NASA explores alternative means to ensure the ongoing payments.

With respect to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the bill supports the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST)'s important functions of licensing and monitoring the safety of commercial space launches and reentries, as well as spaceports, at $27.555 million, an increase of $1.515 million (6 percent) from the FY 2020 enacted appropriation. I am also pleased that the bill sustains $192.665 million for the FAA's research, engineering, and development programs, which contribute R&D to improve the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system and reduce the environmental impact.

I am supportive of the $5.45 billion provided for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in this bill, which is $828 million above the Administration's short-sighted budget request. This includes robust investments in intramural and extramural research at NOAA and restoration of funding to proposed cuts to, or eliminations of, coastal resilience grants, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, the National Sea Grant Program, Tsunami Warning System, the Air Resources Laboratory, and the NOAA Office of Education. At a time when Americans face compound threats of the COVID-19 pandemic on top of climate change-fueled intense heat, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events, it is imperative that we have accurate and timely climate and weather predictions, preparedness, and response. I am pleased to see enhanced support for weather research, modeling, and forecasting, as well as National Weather Service forecaster staffing levels. As our planet continues to warm, sea levels rise, ice sheets melt, and other changes occur due to anthropogenic climate change, authoritative climate research and information remains more important than ever to help our communities address these resulting impacts. I am also pleased to see restored funding for authoritative reports such as the National Climate Assessments and the Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program to help provide regions with decision making support services and tools.

This bill makes much needed investments at the Department of Energy, which supports the world-class facilities and expertise of our national laboratories as well as many important activities at our universities and in the private sector. DOE also serves as one of our most valuable tools in the fight against climate change. Alone, the $12.5 billion dedicated to DOE's non-defense research, development, and demonstration activities in this bill would amount to a slight cut of 0.2 percent compared to FY20 enacted levels. However, the bill also includes $12.4 billion in additional, critical research infrastructure investments. Thus DOE's Office of Science, ARPA-E, and other applied energy programs would all receive significant funding increases under this bill, which would significantly enhance the development of new clean energy technologies and provide valuable support to the U.S. research enterprise when such support is desperately needed.

I also want to speak on important provisions within the Health and Human Services funding division. In consideration of our current public health crisis, this appropriations bill rebuilds our nation's aging public health infrastructure by providing $24.425 billion in emergency spending to support state and local public health departments, public health laboratories, and global health activities. This investment is essential to developing national resilience amid the current pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus and from future public health threats. We also have included operational and contingency funding to assist states with the unanticipated unemployment insurance workloads, as millions of individuals have come to rely on such benefits to survive the current economic turmoil.

Among the multiple laudable improvements made in this bill, I am specifically encouraged by the inclusion of my report language on telehealth training and education for Medicaid beneficiaries. Our nation has recognized the potential for telehealth, remote monitoring, and digital health technologies to help meet the needs of patients and families, especially during this public health emergency. As healthcare providers expanding their delivery of virtual care, we must have a comprehensive understanding of the training and education needs of beneficiaries and caregivers on how to successfully utilize such telehealth services and technologies. My language directs the Administration of Community Living to work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other stakeholders to develop such resources that account for age-related differences in our interactions with technology.

With all that is happening across our nation, we must make sure that our communities have the mental health services and support their need to withstand and recover from these months of turmoil. That is why I am proud of the $21 million allocated for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is $2 million more than last year. Additionally, this bill includes $758 million for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, which will provide our states and territories the mental health resources that are so needed during these times.

This bill also includes critical funding for lupus programs, which I supported as co-chair of the Congressional Lupus Caucus. the National Lupus Patient Registry at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is to receive $8.5 million, and the Office of Minority Health and their National Lupus Training, Outreach, and Clinical Trial Program is to receive $2 million.

Now, let me turn my attention to the Education funding division. As we continue to address the needs of Americans during this pandemic, I am happy to see that this bill includes critical funding necessary to ensure our young people have access to quality education, whether it be at home, in school, or a hybrid model. I am particularly pleased to see the subcommittee recommend $28.5 million in funding for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program. This is an increase of $1.5 million over the Fiscal year 2020 funding level. The increased funding for this program will ensure that schools, libraries, and non-profits can continue providing books and other literary materials to families in high need communities. As we try to address the stark differences in educational opportunity during this pandemic, programs like IAL are needed more than ever to ensure underserved students do not fall further behind in the areas of literacy and writing.

This bill also increases funding for Title I schools, Head Start, and special education programs, ensuring that the most vulnerable and needy get the services they need in the classroom.

Regarding Higher Education, this bill increases funding to various HBCU programs and raises the maximum Pell Grant amount by $150 to $6,495. This funding increase will help students keep up with the rising cost of higher education.

Regarding the funding provisions for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, I am pleased at the increased investments made to affordable housing and homelessness programs. We have dedicated $9.1 billion for the Office of Community Planning and Development, an increase of $1.1 billion above the 2020 enacted level. There is also $3.5 billion for Community Development Block Grants, a critical program that the President's budget request proposed to eliminate. As co-chair of the Congressional Homelessness Caucus, I am very supportive of the $3.4 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, which is $638 million more than what was dedicated in fiscal year 2020. Multiple other programs have also received funding increases, including $103 million for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, $140 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth program, and $57.5 million for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. With the economic upheaval caused by this coronavirus, we must be completely dedicated to preventing and alleviating homelessness, as that is the only way to lessen the difficulties currently experienced by our communities.

As representatives of Americans from all corners of our country, we have a responsibility to protect the livelihood and well-being of our families and communities, especially during this public health emergency. On behalf of the constituents of the 30th District of Texas, I urge my colleagues to support this funding bill for fiscal year 2021.

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