WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7608, a four bill Appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2021. This package included State-Foreign Operations; Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA; Interior-Environment; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
“Today, the House passed the first of several Appropriations bills to fund to government in Fiscal Year 2021,” said Rep. Hayes. “Our budget is a reflection of our values, and this package includes many provisions I have championed. This bill funds nutrition and health programs for low-income families and other vulnerable Americans, supports rural development and infrastructure, funds rural housing initiatives and expands broadband access. This bill makes critical investments in VA medical care including mental health services, opioid abuse recovery, and suicide prevention; addresses the disability claims backlog; and includes critical funding for remediation for PFAS contamination on U.S. military bases. This bill promotes American values and diplomatic priorities, maintains our strength and influence in the world, and protects our national security. And finally, this bill funds the National Park System and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, robustly funds EPA’s core science and environmental program work, ensures access to safe drinking water and clean air for all Americans, and builds resilience to climate change.”
“I urge the Senate to take up this legislation immediately, and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the remaining Appropriations bills in the coming weeks.”
A division-by-division summary of the bill can be found here.
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Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public-school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year.
Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.