Congressman Tim Ryan Votes to Support Veterans Health, Farmers, and Child Nutrition in House Appropriations Bill Passed Today

Press Release

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today voted in support of H.R. 7608, Fiscal Year 2021 Four-Bill Appropriations Minibus that included Appropriations funding for State-Foreign Operations, Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA, Interior-Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The bill, passed in the House of Representatives today, provides funding initiatives that will benefit the 13th District and Americans across the country, providing funding for global coronavirus preparedness, response, and relief efforts, make infrastructure investments, strengthen food security, take steps to combat the climate crisis, bolster U.S. partnerships in the Asia-Pacific and support America's veterans and military families. Ryan is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

"As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I believe this bill makes the right investments in our nation in these difficult times. We are supporting our nation's farmers and including critical funding for SNAP, WIC, and other nutrition programs to ensure our children and those most vulnerable have access to the food they need to survive," added Congressman Ryan. "Importantly, this legislation will benefit our veterans and their families by ensuring they have the support they need by providing strategies for integrative health, including mental health, and trauma care. This year's Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Funding Bill also blocks the Trump Administration from using appropriated funds from our servicemembers in Northeast Ohio and across the country to build an ineffective vanity project on the southern border."

Congressman Ryan was successful in securing several additional elements in the bill including full funding for School Kitchen Equipment Grants, Farm to School Grant Program, and an increase to the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. In the Interior section of the bill, Congressman Ryan supported funding in the amount of $335 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; $10 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUS); and $13 million for the Great Lakes Science Center.

In the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs section of the bill, Congressman Ryan was successful in securing several additions to the bill that will benefit service members and veterans. Language in the bill calls for the continued support and expansion of the VA's Whole Health System of Care that provides patient-centered care and complementary and integrative health approaches to our nation's veterans--especially those who are struggling with opioid use disorder and chronic pain. The bill contains language calling for further expansion of the VetsCorp pilot program which enables veteran-conducted outreach to fellow veterans. It also requires a study tracking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that exist within the veteran population; includes language urging the VA to expand exploration of post-traumatic growth programs; and provides $44.6 million to revitalize long neglected National Guard Infrastructure.

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