Maloney Highlights Wins for Hudson Valley Families, Farmers and Veterans in House-Passed Funding Bills
Press Release
Today, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) voted in support of a package of appropriations bills that contain several priorities for Hudson Valley families, farmers and veterans. The funding packages include provisions to support veterans and military families, invest in infrastructure, protect the environment and combat climate change, and support our family farmers and the agriculture economy.
"Hardworking folks in the Hudson Valley are fighting to recover from the damage wrought by this pandemic. They need more support and more resources to get back on their feet," said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. "My top priorities to help our corner of New York, including support for our farmers, military families and veterans, are a key part of this package and will make a big difference in our neck of the woods. Passing this bill is no small feat. Now, it's up to the Senate to do its job."
H.R. 7608, the "minibus" appropriations funding consists of four combined appropriations bills: State-Foreign Operations, Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA, Interior-Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
Rep. Maloney successfully fought to secure $1 million of additional funding in the Agriculture appropriations package for the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This vital program helps farmers access resources to combat crop-killing invasive species, like the Allium leafminer which threatens onion crops for farmers in Orange County. Read more here.
Among several other priorities for the Hudson Valley, the "minibus" appropriations package will:
Support our Veterans and Military Families:
This bill provides over $104 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, with $12.5 billion in emergency appropriations for VA to address sharply rising health care costs amid the pandemic.
The bill increases funding for veterans' medical care by nearly $10 billion above last year's funding totals, and dedicates robust funding to mental health care, veteran homeless assistance programs, and gender-specific care for women.
This bill also ensures our military construction projects are funded, with $10.4 billion dedicated to improving our military infrastructure. The bill includes language to ensure these funds cannot be used for the president's border wall.
This bill provides nearly $1.5 billion to improve and build military family housing, and address lead abatement and mold removal in military housing.
Support our Farmers and Expand Food Security:
Rep. Maloney's amendment to increase funding for the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture by $1 million was included in this package. This vital program ensures Hudson Valley farmers have the resources needed to combat crop-killing invasive species like the Allium leafminor.
This bill increases funding for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), to help mitigate and stop devastating crop diseases, improve food safety and water quality, increase production, and combat antimicrobial resistance.
This bill invests in rural infrastructure, rural water programs, and broadband internet access for rural communities.
This bill provides full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Child Nutrition Programs and WIC, and blocks two rules by the Trump administration designed to restrict SNAP eligibility for people in need.
Invest in our Environment and Water Infrastructure:
This bill invests over $15 billion in programs to support clean drinking water and the removal of toxic "forever chemicals" from our water. Nearly $13 billion of those funds will be dedicated to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
This bill also protects our public lands by investing in our National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
Support Pandemic Recovery:
This package restores funding for the World Health Organization, a vital U.S. partner in the fight against COVID-19.
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