FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

WASHINGTON – This afternoon, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) voted for H.R. 3010, an appropriations bill to increase funding for key priorities such as education and health care.  The bill passed the House 250 to 151.

“I am pleased that my colleagues and I were able to take care of funding these priorities while exercising fiscal restraint at the same time,” said Rep. Foxx.  “The funding for this year’s Labor-HHS bill is less than Congress allotted last year and this will help reduce the spending-driven deficit.  This bill eliminates many inefficiencies and shifts resources to programs that actually work, all while saving taxpayers $3.8 billion.”

Rep. Foxx emphasized that while the bill saves taxpayer dollars, it still increases funding for many key programs.  For example, maximum Pell Grant awards, which make it possible for needy individuals to attend college, are now increased to $4100.  This is the highest level in our nation’s history.  In addition, total funding for the program is now increased by more than $1 billion over last year.

The appropriations bill also expands access for small community and faith-based service providers and increases funding for community-based abstinence education programs.

On the health care front, the bill provides a $100 million increase in funding for Community Health Centers and increases funding for research at the National Institutes of Health by $145 million.  The bill also substantially increases funding for counter-terrorism and bioterrorism preparedness programs.