Scott Votes to Pass Appropriations Funding Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, voted to pass the full government funding appropriations package for FY 2022. This legislation includes critical funds to invest in jobs, education, the environment, national security, as well as a number of important community projects and shipbuilding in Hampton Roads.

"Today, the House passed a government funding package that makes historic investments in students, workers, and families," said Congressman Scott. "I am particularly pleased that the omnibus takes key steps to address long-standing inequities in education. The package includes a $1 billion increase in funding for Title I schools — the largest increase in more than a decade—as well as increased funding for full-service community schools. Additionally, the package includes funding that could support locally driven school diversity initiatives. This bill will help target funds to where they are most needed and provide our most vulnerable schools and communities the necessary resources to get back on track."

"The package also provides significant investments to lower the cost of college, support vulnerable institutions of higher education, and promote pathways to rewarding careers," continued Congressman Scott. "Specifically, the bill includes the largest increase in the maximum Pell Grant—the cornerstone of our student aid system—in more than a decade and secures a notable funding increase for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions. To promote skills for better paying jobs, the bill expands funding for Registered Apprenticeships. And importantly, for the first time we are establishing a Postsecondary Student Success Grant program to implement proven strategies to help students either stay in school or complete their degrees."

"Additionally, the bill expands access to nutritious food for families," noted Congressman Scott. "The omnibus package increases funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program by nearly $1 billion. Moreover, the package also boosts funding for maternal and child health, mental health, and substance use treatment. As we continue on the road to recovery from the pandemic under the Biden-Harris Administration, this spending package takes critical steps that students, workers, and families need to get back on their feet."

"As the representative from Virginia's Third Congressional District, this legislation is a major boost for Hampton Roads," continued Congressman Scott. "I was very pleased to see funding included for Chesapeake WILD grants, which were authorized by legislation I sponsoredwith my colleagues in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force. These grants will be critical as we continue our work to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The funding package also includes investments in our national defense and shipbuilding and will provide necessary aid to Ukraine, as well as providing critical funds to Jefferson Lab. Finally, I was particularly pleased to have secured over $13.6 million in funding for community projects across Virginia's third congressional district."

The legislation includes funding for the following community projects secured by Congressman Scott that will directly benefit Virginia's Third Congressional District:

• $2,400,000 for Poindexter Sidewalks Extension in Chesapeake;
• $318,750 for Broadband Expansion in Isle of Wight;
• $975,000 for Enhanced Athletic Field Lighting in Newport News;
• $1,800,000 for LGBT Life Center Community Center in Hampton;
• $1,000,000 for Maritime Trades Magnet School at Old Dominion University;
• $500,000 for Water Service Line Inventory in Portsmouth;
• $250,000 for STOP, Inc. Mobile Telehealth Clinic to service the City of Franklin and Isle of Wight County;
• $3,492,000 for Emergency Communication Center Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) and Police Records Management System (RMS) Replacement in Suffolk; and
• $2,900,000 for the acquisition and relocation of the William A. Hunton YMCA in Norfolk.

For full descriptions and amounts requested from these projects, please click HERE.

Further information on the FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Act can be found HERE.

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