Press Releases

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) made the following statement on the enactment of the omnibus government funding bill containing all 12 fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills.

“As an appropriator, I take my job of ensuring our area gets its fair share of federal resources very seriously,” Cartwright said. “In this funding package, we have secured resources that invest in job creation, health care and education right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I’m proud it includes funding that will benefit communities and families across our region. With the government funded and modest relief from this crisis on the way, I will keep fighting for more support for Northeastern Pennsylvanians until we defeat this virus.”

Breakdown of Funding for Northeastern Pennsylvania in the Fiscal Year 2021 Spending Package fought for by Cartwright:

• $87.5 million for a grant program to pay for stormwater projects that keep our regional waterways clean. Funding from this program can help mitigate local stormwater fees in the Eighth District. This is a $2.5 million increase over fiscal year 2020.

• $33.5 million for the Assistance to Coal Mining Communities program. This economic development program supports Northeastern Pennsylvania development projects like this substance abuse treatment center at SCI Waymart. This is a $3.5 million increase over fiscal year 2020.

• $15 million in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding specifically for our region, which represents a $10 million increase over fiscal year 2020. ARC funding supports job creation & business growth initiatives. For example, it funded this grant awarded to the NEPA Alliance and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center.

• Overall, ARC was funded at $180 million for fiscal year 2021, a $5 million increase over FY20.
• $55 million is designated for the Power+ Plan, a $5 million increase over FY20. This money is set aside for areas impacted by energy transition, primarily former coal communities.

• $60 million for the Defense Communities Infrastructure program; a $10 million increase over FY20. These funds help maintain infrastructure in areas home to places that support our national defense, like NEPA's Tobyhanna Army Depot.
  

• A renewal of $115 million for the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund in FY21, which helps clean up environmental hazards of abandoned mines and pave the way for economic development. Some local mine sites reclaimed with the funding from this program are under review to determine whether they can support the installation of solar panels and provide clean energy for Northeastern Pennsylvania communities.
  

Additional highlights from the funding legislation that Cartwright supported:

• $6 million for the National Living Donor Assistance Center, a $1.5 million increase over FY20; this funding helps cover expenses for organ donors including reimbursing lost wages, childcare and other expenses which often prevent people from donating.

• $730 million to strengthen rural communities by expanding broadband service, helping to provide economic development opportunities and improved education and healthcare services.

• $16.5 billion for Education for the Disadvantaged Grants to Local Educational Agencies, an increase of $227 million over FY20, and $12.9 billion for IDEA Special Education Grants to states, an increase of $173 million over FY20.

• $43.4 million to expand access to housing with targeted vouchers to reduce homelessness among families with children, individuals, the unsheltered, veterans and survivors of domestic violence.

• $90 billion for VA medical care, including homelessness assistance, suicide prevention and outreach, and gender-specific care.

•  The No Surprises Act, which ends surprise medical bills for patients – so patients are only responsible for their usual in-network cost-sharing amounts and deductibles.

• Extends funding for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps and the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program at current levels for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023. This will enable institutions like The Wright Center to continue accessing federal funding to continue their graduate medical education program.

The text of the spending package, H.R. 133, is available HERE.