House Avoids Shutdown, Passes Funding Legislation that includes Delgado’s Priorities for Upstate Communities

December 20, 2019
Press Release
Following Delgado Push, Bipartisan Legislative Package Funds Rural Broadband ReConnect Program

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) voted to pass bipartisan legislation this week that includes strategic investments in the economic health of upstate New York communities. The legislation incorporated many of Delgado’s priorities including support for rural broadband, opioid treatment, community development programs, mental health and support for farmers, rural infrastructure programs and more. The President is expected to sign this legislation today.

“It is critically important to the future of our upstate communities that we invest in resources that make it easier for our families, our small businesses, our veterans, our seniors, and our farmers to grow and thrive. I joined a bipartisan coalition in voting to pass legislation this week that makes critical investments in the future of our rural communities. I urged the inclusion of critical funding for the ReConnect program to advance our rural broadband technology; expansion of needed opioid treatment and recovery programs; mental health support for our farmers; and support for the Delaware River, among others,” said Delgado. “I will continue to push for investments that support the regional economy and help our upstate families get ahead.”

Congressman Delgado encouraged House and Senate Leadership to make important investments in priorities critical to the well-being of upstate communities, including:

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES

  • USDA ReConnect Program: Following Rep. Delgado’s bipartisan letter to House and Senate colleagues to include funding for the USDA’s ReConnect program, the final bill voted on this week included $555 million to support high-speed broadband internet infrastructure projects across rural America.

ADDRESSING THE OPIOID CRISIS

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): The bipartisan funding package voted on this week included $5.9 billion for SAMHSA to support mental health resources for children and youth; suicide prevention, and substance abuse treatment.

INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES

  • Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): The legislation before the House this week made a $5.8 billion investment in CCDBG, a federal and state program that allows states to help low-income families pay for child care so they can work or attend a job training or educational program. CCDBG is the nation’s largest federal child care assistance program.

 

IMPROVING RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

  • BUILD Grants: The package also included $1 billion for National Infrastructure Investments, and ensures parity between urban and rural awards. The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grant program provides a unique opportunity for the Department of Transportation to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives.
  • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): This week the House voted to provide $3.4 billion for CDBG grants. CDBG is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs.
  • USDA Water and Waste Disposal Program: The funding legislation before the House this week included $68 million in funding to address a backlog in water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects.
  • USDA Circuit Rider Program: The bipartisan bills also provided $30 million in technical assistance to rural water systems that are experiencing day-to-day operational, financial or managerial issues.
  • Grassroots Source Water Protection Program: The legislative package also included $6.5 million to prevent pollution of surface and ground water used as the primary source of drinking water by rural residents.

SUPPORTING OUR FARMERS

  • Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network: Rep. Delgado led a bipartisan group including Reps. Tom Emmer (MN-06), Dave Loebsack (IA-02), and Roger Marshall (KS-01), to secure $10 million in funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network which funds stress assistance to farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agriculture-related professions. Financial risk, volatile markets, unpredictable weather, and heavy workloads can place a significant strain on farmers’, ranchers’, and farmworkers’ mental and emotional well-being. A recent study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that farmers have a much higher rate of suicide than the general population, which is exacerbated by the fact that there is a shortage of mental health care professionals in rural areas.
  • Intermediary Relending Program: Rep. Delgado also partnered with Reps. Lujan and Sewell in a push to include $18.89 million for an intermediary relending pilot program run through the USDA Farm Service Agency that helps to resolve ownership and succession on farmland. Heirs’ property issues cloud title to agricultural lands and prevent participation in critical USDA farm, disaster and conservation programs. This funding will help farm families obtain clear title to their farmland by allowing USDA loans to be used to purchase the interests of non-farming heirs.

PROTECTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

  • Delaware River Commission: The funding package passed by the House this week also included $9.7 million for the Delaware River Commission. This funding will conserve and restore fish and wildlife habitat, enhance and maintain water quality, and improve river-based recreational opportunities and public access in the Upper Delaware Watershed.
  • Land and Water Conservation Fund: This week’s bipartisan funding legislation includes over $495 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund that helps protect and maintain national forests, public lands, local parks and maintains historic and cultural sites.