Rep. Brown Supports Passage of Fiscal Year 2022 Government Funding Package

By Press release submission

Mar 12, 2022

Today, Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11) supported passage in the House of Representatives of H.R. 2471, an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022 and provide supplemental funding to support Ukraine.

“I was proud to vote for this funding bill that lowers costs for families and makes investments in Northeast Ohio communities,” said Rep. Brown. “By unlocking funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the bill ensures work will soon begin on projects to upgrade Ohio’s roads, bridges, and airports. The package includes other key wins, such as a long overdue reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, a historic boost to the maximum Pell Grant, and investments in childcare. Meanwhile, I am glad to see the bill provides critical security and humanitarian assistance to our brothers and sisters fighting for freedom and democracy in Ukraine.

“As with any compromise, this is a good bill, but not a perfect bill. I was disappointed the package didn’t extend school meal waivers that have ensured millions of students receive free meals throughout the pandemic. We must not allow these benefits to end early, causing students to unnecessarily fall into hunger. Nevertheless, the investments in this bill will create jobs, benefit working families, and directly fund key projects in Northeast Ohio.”

Among its many provisions, the bill includes:

Increased funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Rep. Brown, along with Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) and Don Young, led a letter requesting increased funding for TEFAP.
$250 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, a $70 million increase over FY21. Rep. Brown joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in calling for more funding for the program in the aftermath of the Colleyville, TX attack.
$1 billion for Iron Dome Replenishment. Rep. Brown joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in requesting Iron Dome supplemental funding.
The Israel Relations Normalization Act, which Rep. Brown cosponsors.
A $400 boost to the maximum Pell Grant award.
Funding to establish President Biden’s Cancer Initiative.
A reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The legislation also includes the following Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending that will benefit Ohio’s Eleventh District:

$500,000 for Cuyahoga County’s Central Booking Technology and Equipment Enhancement Project;
$500,000 for Cuyahoga County’s Diversion and Mental Health and Addiction Services Initiative;
$300,000 for Cuyahoga County’s Utility Microgrid Design Project;
$500,000 for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center to increase its capacity to serve victims of sexual violence;
$1.5 million for the Ohio Aerospace Institute to enhance its partnership with NASA’s Glenn Research Center;
$500,000 for the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland’s Training Program;
$2 million for Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Brookside Culvert Repair Project;
$500,000 for Karamu House’s Revitalization Project; and
$700,000 for Jennings Center Protecting Seniors and Healthcare Workers Project.