Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after the recent, successful passage of the second and final Fiscal Year 2024 “minibus” appropriations bill:
“I am pleased to announce that bipartisan legislation to deliver for the American people was approved in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Biden. This averts a partial government shutdown, which would have negative consequences for the Virgin Islands. This funding package sides with hardworking Americans to help families with the high cost of living and keep our communities safe. House Democrats successfully protected women’s rights and investments in climate-related policies.
“This appropriations bill invests in critical government programs and services to support education, job training, and placement programs as well as access to affordable, high-quality childcare. The minibus provides historic investments to strengthen our nation’s defense capabilities, reaffirm our global commitment to fight climate change and bolster cyber security.
“In addition, this legislation provides:
$1.1 billion for SBA to support investments in programs to help underserved entrepreneurs access capital and contracting opportunities;
$20.3 billion for major disaster response and recovery activities;
$10 million for new fentanyl task forces and $10 million for investigative efforts tied to the expansion of non-intrusive inspection technology at ports of entry;
$365 million, an increase of $12 million from fiscal year 2023, for Rural Health Programs;
$1.4 billion for CTE State Grants, an increase of $10 million from fiscal year 2023;
$174 million for School-Based Mental Health Services Grants and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grants, an increase of $74 million from fiscal year 2023;
$401 million for HBCUs; and
$4 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
“The minibus includes historic investments in key areas: Head Start and childcare programs, education, job training and placement programs. Furthermore, it strengthens our nation’s defense capabilities, reaffirms our global commitments to combating climate change and improving global health, as well as allocates funding for border security and cybersecurity.
House Democrats safeguarded investments in our communities and rejected many of the harmful proposals advanced by the House Republicans – including funding cuts to education and climate-related policies. The appropriations minibus will deliver for the Virgin Islands and support our community.”
This second and final package follows the first six appropriations bills signed into law by President Biden on March 9.
