Rhode Island Congressman leading effort to protect afterschool and Special Olympics funding from Trump, ensure significant resources to prevent lead poisoning in kids

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill this afternoon to fund the U.S. Departments of Defense, Education, Energy, Labor, and Health & Human Services.

The spending package includes several items that Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), a member of House Leadership, played a key role in crafting to promote Rhode Island jobs, quality education, public health, and fiscal responsibility for towns and cities.

“This spending bill puts working people and families first. It addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing Rhode Islanders today,” said Cicilline. “I’m pleased that we are sending such a strong proposal to the Senate today. I was proud to lead the effort to provide $1.3 billion for afterschool learning, $21 million for the Special Olympics, and $40 million to prevent childhood lead poisoning. As this bill moves to the Senate, I will continue fighting to ensure we fund these important priorities.”

Working through the House Appropriations process, Cicilline led the effort to enhance funding for several key initiatives important to Rhode Island. These include:

• $12 million for the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR).
• $84.9 million for the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a body that funds research into pandemic disease. This is an increase of $6.8 million over the previous year.
• $40 million for the CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. This is an increase of $5 million over the previous year.
• $1.3 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers. This is an increase of $100 million over the previous year.
• $21 million for the Special Olympics. This is an increase of $3.5 million over the previous year. President Trump tried to eliminate Special Olympics funding in his budget.
• $3.5 million for civics education.
• Instructions for the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize projects in “financially-distressed municipalities.”

The bill passed by the House today now heads to the U.S. Senate, where it awaits further consideration.