(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) highlighted key victories for Texas’ Seventh Congressional District and communities across the country in H.R. 7617, the second “minibus” of fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations bills, which passed earlier today.  The appropriations package included Congresswoman Fletcher’s amendment to increase funding for the Department of Energy’s Fossil Energy Research program to support pioneering techniques from Texas energy producers to reduce carbon emissions.  

“One of the most important roles of Congress is allocating funding, and I was glad to vote in support of the second appropriations package today.  This bill makes responsible and much-needed investments to our communities that will help improve our nation’s infrastructure, prioritize public health, and invest in our energy future,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “I was also glad that my amendment that will support research in new techniques in development by Texas energy producers was included.” 

H.R. 7617 consists of six FY 2021 appropriations bills: Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development. 

Below is a list of Congresswoman Fletcher’s priorities that passed in the appropriations package today: 

Health

• Overrides the Trump administration’s gag order and restores grant eligibility to Planned Parenthood and other health clinics that offer the full range of reproductive health services
• $47 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• $50 million for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NIH to research firearm injury and mortality prevention 
• $10.3 billion for mental health care, including $313 million for suicide prevention outreach
• $1.65 billion for the Health Centers program, including $10 million to support school-based health centers
• $981 million for programs to improve maternal and child health, including an additional $25 million for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program

Infrastructure

• $1.68 billion for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund projects
• $1 billion for National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER/BUILD grant programs) 
• $7.6 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including studies, construction, and operation & maintenance

Energy and Water Development

• $2.85 billion to invest in clean, affordable, and secure energy
• $43.5 billion to modernize water and energy infrastructure

Election Security: 

• $500 million for Election Security Grants to help improve the security and integrity of elections  

Strong Communities: 

• $525 million for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs
• $770 million for firefighter grants
• $356 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help improve our nation’s infrastructure, boost economically recovering communities, and launch innovative community development efforts
• $3.5 billion for Community Development Block Grants
• $3.8 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 
• $52 million for Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to help create jobs and expand business growth opportunities among minority-owned U.S. companies