Peterson-Backed Health, Education Funding Measure Wins House Approval

Press Release

Peterson-Backed Health, Education Funding Measure Wins House Approval

Measure will also fund America's veterans, military construction

Congressman John E. Peterson, R-Pleasantville, joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives late last night in passing the fiscal year 2008 spending measure for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Though generally passed individually, this spending measure was coupled with the 2008 Veterans Affairs-Military Construction spending bill. The final measure, which funds important programs serving communities across central and northwest Pennsylvania, passed by a vote of 269 - 142.

"Working to provide affordable healthcare and expanding educational programs - especially in rural parts of the country - has been a main focus of mine as a congressman, a state senator and state representative. I was pleased today to join many of my fellow House colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to pass this critical spending measure," said Peterson, a member of the Labor, Health and Human and Services, and Education Appropriations panel. "Funding provided in this measure will play an integral role in providing quality healthcare and valuable educational opportunities to many Americans, especially in rural communities.

Peterson fought to ensure that many rural health programs, which the President proposed to cut, not only remained funded at current levels, but led the charge to increase many of them. The bill also included a historic $109 billion for veterans funding, the highest funding level ever for America's veterans.

"Representing Pennsylvania's fifth district, I know full well the sacrifice so many of our brave men and women in uniform have made, and continue to make, to ensure this nation's safety. This measure was long overdue. With Veteran's Day less than a week away, this crucial funding measure serves as a small token of gratitude to the veterans who have selflessly sacrificed so much on our behalf," said Peterson.

Peterson did, however, raise concerns that these spending bills should have been brought to the floor individually, and that more fiscal restraint should have been demonstrated.

"There's certainly excessive spending on some programs. Overall, though, this measure will put funding in place that will positively affect American lives, especially those in rural America, and importantly, our veterans who deserve the best," Peterson added.

Peterson worked to ensure that the several rural provisions remained funded in the bill, including:

More than $1.3 billion for Career and Technical Education, including a $25 million increase over the level funding of the last several years that Peterson single-handily secured;

- $145 million for rural health programs, a nearly $17 million increase over current levels;

- $8 million for Rural Community Facilities to offer technical assistance to rural water treatment facilities;

- $665 for Community Service Block Grants (CSBG), $35 million above the current funding level;

- $576 million for Adult Education, $12 million above the current funding level;

- $2.41 billion for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), $250 million above the current level;

- $30 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $1.1 billion above current levels;

- $1.6 billion for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) related programs;

- Over $14 billion for special education, representing a $1.5 billion increase; and

- Over $14 billion for Pell Grants, increasing maximum grant amounts from $4,310 to $4,435.

This bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration before it goes to the President.

Source