Press Releases

Hoyer Praises Passage of Legislation to Fund the Government, Address Fifth District Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) applauded the passage of two appropriations minibus bills to fund the government through Fiscal Year 2020 and secure key victories for Fifth District constituents.   

"The legislation passed today will provide the American people with certainty that their government will be responsibly funded and delivers significant wins for families throughout the Fifth District," said Congressman Hoyer. "While the bills were compromise measures negotiated between the House and Senate, I worked hard to ensure that Fifth District priorities were addressed. From providing funding to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, strengthen early childhood education, and improve the safety and reliability of our transit system to ensuring federal employees receive the same cost of living adjustment as the military, this legislation will improve the quality of life for Marylanders. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to consider it without delay."

In addition to providing certainty to federal employees and the public that the government will not shut down once again, the appropriations bills address the following Fifth District priorities:  

Federal Employees

Chesapeake Bay

  • Includes $5 million for Chesapeake Bay oyster recovery, which the Trump Administration had zeroed out in their budget request.
  • Includes $85 million for the EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program, an increase of $12 million. 

Transportation

  • Includes $150 million in funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to improve the safety and security of the system and make investments in the Purple Line project.

Education

  • Includes $25 million for full service community schools, an increase of $7.5 million in funding. 
  • Includes $275 million in funding for Preschool Development Grants, an increase of $25 million. These grants help fund Judy Centers, which provide comprehensive education and support services for children age five and under and their families throughout Maryland. 

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

  • Includes $131 million for the PACE Mission, which will assess the health of our oceans when launched.
  • Includes $180 million for the Restore-L program, which services and extends the lifespan of satellites.
  • Includes $423 million for the James Webb Space Telescope. 
  • Includes $510.7 million for the WFIRST infrared space telescope. 

Public Health

  • Includes $41.68 billion for the National Institutes of Health, an increase of $2.6 billion.  
  • Includes $12.5 million for the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to research firearm injury and death prevention, the first time in 20 years this research has been funded.