Pascrell Hails Budget Deal, Blasts Trump’s Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.-09) issued a statement following the passage by the House of Representatives of a budget bill that will keep the federal government open. The legislation now heads to the White House for the President’s signature.

“We got precisely what we were looking for: the federal government will not be shut down again and there isn’t going to be a stupid wall. At the same time, we were able secure strong support for several of priority programs for New Jersey and America including transportation subsidies, Amtrak, law enforcement and fire services grants, backing for Ukraine against Russian aggression, and increased funding for clean air, water, and other critical environmental initiatives.

“As for Donald Trump’s apparent emergency declaration, if there were an emergency, why did he never mention it between 2017 and January 2019 when Republicans held every lever of government? Trump is using a fake emergency to grab dictatorial powers. The American people don’t elect kings or queens; we elect Presidents, and ones with enumerated powers limited by constitutional checks and balances.  I stand unreservedly against this declaration and Congress should assert its constitutional power to oppose it.”

Select items in the budget:

Transportation

• Federal Transit Administration is funded at $13.414 billion. This is $66.806 million less than FY18 and $2.3 billion above the President’s request
• Amtrak is funded at $1.9416 billion. This is level funding from FY18 and $1.2 billion above the President’s request
• The conferees provide $650 million for the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for activities associated with the Northeast Corridor
• The conference report prohibits funds from being used to change weight restrictions or prior permission rules at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey

Housing

• $22.6 billion for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, rejecting proposed cuts
• $3.4 billion for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), rejecting proposed elimination

Public Safety and Law Enforcement

• Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funded at $423.5 million
• COPS Hiring Grants funded at $228.5 million

• • Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act funded at $2 million
• Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants is funded at $350 million. This is level funding from FY18 and $5.656 million above the President’s request.
• Assistance to Firefighter Grants funded at $350 million. This is level funding from FY18 and $5.656 above the President’s request.

• National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Initiative funded at $75 million
• Bulletproof Vest Partnerships funded at $25 million
• $648 million for grant programs to address the opioid crisis and related impacts
• $178 million to address sexual assault kit and other DNA evidence backlogs

The Environment and Natural Resources

• Operation of the National Park System is funded at $2.5 billion. This is an increase of $19.4 million from FY18 and $78.1 million from the President’s request.
• Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is funded at $12 million. This is an increase of $1 million from FY18 and $2.5 million from the President’s request.
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund is funded at $1.394 million. This is an increase of $113,000 from last FY18 and the President’s request.
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is funded at $864 million. This is an increase of $767,000 from FY18 and the President’s request.

Immigration and Refugees

• International Disaster Assistance is funded at $3.8 billion. This is $1.1 billion above FY18 and $243,622 above the President’s request.
• The conference agreement provides for not less than $445.7 million for assistance for Ukraine.

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