WASHINGTON, DC – On March 9, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 2471, FY2022 government funding legislation. The bill’s transformative investments will help working families with the cost of living, create American jobs, and support vulnerable individuals.

“The investments in this package address some of our nation’s biggest challenges while providing a much-needed lifeline for vulnerable Americans,” said Rep. Maloney. “Because of Congressional Democrats’ leadership, we are investing in New Yorkers from the ground up and the middle out. I am proud to vote for this legislation, which will lower costs, create jobs, and support hard working Americans.

“I am excited that this bill funds several priorities of mine, including $40 million allocated for the melanoma research program; $295 million for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), an increase of $25 million above the FY 2021 enacted level; and $25 million allocated for gun violence research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Each year on a bipartisan basis, I lead approximately 100 of my colleagues in requesting additional support for the CDFI Fund’s annual appropriations. The CDFI Fund helps provide credit, capital, and financial services to underserved populations and communities across the country. I also lead the annual appropriations letter to support increased funding for melanoma research. Continued innovation in melanoma prevention, detection, and treatment is only possible with continued investment in high quality research. And last February, I introduced the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act which would authorize $50 million in funding each fiscal year for the next five years at the CDC to study gun violence. Finally, it includes $6.3 million in funding to support ten NY-12 community projects submitted by groups who are integral to our community. I’m honored to be able to support their work through federal funding.

“While this package isn’t perfect, it includes vital funding for the Iron Dome, provides emergency funding to support the Ukrainian people and defend global democracy in the wake of Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, and ensures that we keep up the pressure on Putin and his associates as we work towards a cease-fire and a peaceful resolution to this war. I continue to remain committed to reallocating government spending to better serve the American people in future funding packages.”

Background

FY2022 government funding legislation includes significant investments to:

• Help Working Families with the Cost of Living: Reduces costs by expanding childcare and early learning programs to more working families, investing in America’s K-12 public schools, making college more affordable, expanding access to homeownership, and bringing the promise of rural broadband to more communities

• Create American Jobs: Create good-paying American jobs, putting folks to work rebuilding our infrastructure, helping small businesses grow and thrive, fostering the green energy jobs of tomorrow, and supporting high-quality job training and apprenticeship programs so every American can contribute and succeed

• Support the Vulnerable: Supports the vulnerable by meeting Americans basic needs, by strengthening nutrition assistance, funding more affordable housing, and cracking down on gender-based violence

The legislation also addresses some of our nation’s biggest challenges:

• Protects Our National Security: Protects our national security with robust funding for defense, diplomacy and global development, a strong focus on cybersecurity, and investments in responsible border and maritime security that keeps us safe and respects the rights and dignity of migrants
• Confronts the Climate Crisis: Confronts the existential threat of climate change through a renewed focus on environmental enforcement, pioneering funding for environmental justice, and historic investments in clean energy and climate science

• Strengthens Public Health: Strengthens health care in America by rebuilding our public health infrastructure, investing in lifesaving biomedical research, and confronting urgent health crises, including maternal health, mental health, substance misuse, and gun violence

A detailed summary of the legislation is available online: https://bit.ly/3J2yJHA.