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Important funding for South Florida priorities was included in the appropriations bill Congress passed in January to prevent another needless government shutdown.

The House of Representatives took the correct action in passing the Appropriations bill to avert a shutdown and secure across-the-board funding for critical domestic priorities. While the bill is not perfect, it includes necessary funding for key issues for South Florida, while also ensuring that our state’s federal workers do not face the specter of more missed paychecks. I was especially pleased to secure vital funding for many of the goals that our Florida delegation worked together on, as well as for many of my key legislative priorities.

Among the successes:

Protecting Our Environment

This bill provides $3.2 million, or nearly double the funding from last year, for the EPA South Florida Program, which addresses our coral reefs, water quality and seagrass in the Caloosahatchee Estuary and Indian River Lagoon, and water quality and seagrass monitoring in Florida Bay and Biscayne Bay.

Our coasts are a critical part of South Florida’s ecosystem and livelihood. The bill includes $77.5 million for coastal science, assessment, response, and restoration, and expresses support for collaboration between NOAA and academic institutions that conduct research on the conservation of corals and coral reef ecosystems. The bill also provides funding for the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and the Regional Coastal Resilience Grant Program.

The red tide algal bloom impacted communities across South Florida. This bill includes $5 million specifically directed to harmful algal bloom research. Florida’s coral reefs are a treasure of our state, and this bill includes an additional million dollars, bringing the total to $27.6 million, for the Coral Reef Program.

Citrus greening disease is a serious problem in South Florida, yet the President’s budget request provided no money for vital citrus greening programs. This bill includes $8.5 million for this critical priority, an increase of one million dollars over the previous fiscal year. 

The bill rightfully calls our cherished River of Grass “one of the great ecological treasures of the United States” – and it provides an additional $10 million for Everglades restoration on top of the funding provided in the Energy and Water appropriations bill passed last year.

And the bill includes increased funding for critical water infrastructure projects and clean water programs.

Protecting Our Ports

South Florida’s ports, including Port Everglades in District 23, are critical economic and domestic security hubs. This bill includes $100 million for the Port Security Grant Program – more than double what was requested in the Trump administration’s budget.

The bill provides for up to 1,200 new Customs and Border Patrol Officers to be deployed to ports of entry to help facilitate trade and travel.

Keeping Youth Safe

Protecting young people is a priority for all communities. This bill provides funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces to combat online child exploitation, and early intervention programs for girls vulnerable to trafficking.

The bill also secures continued funding for the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Grant Program, which will help prevent needless child drownings and entrapments, a critical public safety priority.

Addressing Violence Against Women

The bill provides $500 million to address violence against women including the STOP Formula Grant Program to help local law enforcement and prosecutors address crimes against women and strengthen services for survivors. The bill also secures $1.5 million for the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act, critical funding that encourage states to allow a woman to terminate the parental rights of a rapist.

Gun Violence Reform

South Florida continues to demand action addressing gun violence. This bill includes $75 million in funding for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Supporting Our Seniors

Our state has the highest proportion of seniors in the country. The bill provides $678 million for Housing for the Elderly funding, which assists our seniors in accessing affordable housing. I offered an amendment after an early version of the bill cut this amount by $46 million.  This amendment was accepted and eliminated the cut to this critical program.

Prohibiting Funds to Detain, Remove, or Refer Sponsors of Unaccompanied Children

Unaccompanied young people fleeing dangerous conditions are detained in South Florida’s crowded Homestead facility. It is critical that potential sponsors can safely come forward. This bill prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from using any funds to detain, remove, initiate removal proceedings against a sponsor or a member of a sponsor’s home based on information shared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Supporting the Safety of Synagogues

This bill provides $60 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program – critical funding that was zeroed out in the Trump administration’s budget. This program provides funding for security enhancements for nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist attack. This is absolutely critical as our nation has tragically experienced targeted attacks on churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious centers in recent years.