U.S. House Approves $1.2 Trillion Funding To Keep Federal Government Open, Includes Billions Going Towards Hawaii
The bill for Fiscal Year 2024 includes the last six of Congress’ normal 12 annual appropriation bills and contains billions U.S. Congressman Ed Case requested for Hawaii.
Last month, the U.S. House passed on a bipartisan vote a $1.2 trillion measure for the current fiscal year that prevents a partial shutdown of the federal government.
The bill for Fiscal Year 2024 includes the last six of Congress’ normal 12 annual appropriation bills and contains billions U.S. Congressman Ed Case requested for Hawaii.
“Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle once again worked together to avoid a government shutdown and fund programs critical to our country, our state, our communities and our families,” said Case.
“I don’t agree with parts of the measure, but on balance, it is a bill that is good for our country and our Hawaii.”
Moreover, Case was able to secure $1.4 million to fund a backup generator for Pali Momi Medical Center in Aiea under Community Project Funding (CPF). The generator would be used in cases of a disaster or other emergency need.
CPF enables members of Congress to fund specific projects that demonstrate community support.“This worthy local community project would have difficulty securing funds if not for specific and direct funding from Congress,” said Case.
Below is the list of provisions of special interest to Hawaii that are part of the Fiscal Year 2024 as reported in Case’s press release:- $106 million to continue work to close the Red Hill fuel tank facility and remediate concerns related to the water crisis;
– $5 million for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Community Engagement Initiative to strengthen ties between the military and the local community;
– $46 million for the Native Hawaiian Education Program;
– $22 million for the East-West Center;- $1 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA);
– $27 million for the Women’s Business Centers Program;
– $173 million for adult employment and training activities;
– $320 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants; which support state and local emergency management agencies like the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA); and
– $12.3 billion for Head Start, an increase of $275 million.