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Rep. Torres Votes to Fund Domestic Priorities Through FY 2020

December 17, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today voted to support a legislative package of eight appropriations bills to fund domestic functions of the federal government through fiscal year 2020.

The Domestic Priorities and International Assistance Minibus (H.R. 1865) includes funding for: Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Agriculture, Energy and Water Development, Interior-Environment, Legislative Branch, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development.

Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), who voted to fund domestic priorities but not the border wall, released the following statement:

"Whether we're talking about paving our roads or ensuring community clinics stay open, the American people expect – and deserve – for their valuable tax dollars to be reinvested into our communities," Rep. Torres said. "The legislation we passed today will do exactly that. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I'm pleased to see good faith negotiations delivering vital services or the American people."

Congresswoman Torres successfully secured key components included in today's funding package, including:

  • $41.7 billion for National Institutes of Health, an increase of $2.6 billion, and $8 billion for the Centers Disease Control, an increase of $636 million, for life saving medical research;
  • $793 million for Housing for the Elderly to ensure more housing and stable rent for senior citizens;
  • $116 million for highway and transit projects in California;
  • $143 million for Hispanic Serving Institutions, including CalPoly Pomona, Cal State San Bernardino, and UC Riverside;
  • $67.886 billion for SNAP, including reserve funds that will ensure people are fed in case of a future shutdown
  • $395 million for Advanced Manufacturing to support cutting edge small businesses;
  • $135 million for the WaterSMART program to promote cooperation between federal agencies and state/local water managers to address threats to local water supplies;
  • $11.8 million for the Indian Guaranteed Loan Program to promote tribal economic development; and
  • $25.7 million for the continued development and expansion of the ShakeAlert West Coast earthquake early warning system.

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