Jayapal Votes for Massive Domestic Spending Bill, Ukraine Aid and Against Pentagon Waste
Congresswoman Jayapal issued the following statement after voting to pass the FY22 Omnibus Bill
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement after voting to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget through the House of Representatives, which includes $730 billion in non-defense funding as well as $13.6 billion to support Ukraine.
“Tonight, I was proud to vote yes on critical legislation that will make massive investments in our communities, our country, and everyone suffering in Ukraine because of Vladimir Putin’s baseless and illegal aggression.
“At home, this legislation will help protect our climate by making record investments in renewable energy, help our families by increasing the budgets of federal education programs like Head Start, and bolster our public health capabilities so we’re able to continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future crises. I’m thrilled to have secured $4.1 million in federal funding for all 10 community-based projects I’ve fought for on behalf of the seventh district. These programs are all crucial to people’s health and well-being, and will increase affordable housing, reduce gun violence, advance education, support our Tribal communities, and protect our environment. Under the Trump administration, too many domestic programs were woefully underfunded, leaving communities trying to scrape by with just a few resources. I’m thrilled to have voted to make real investments that people will feel in their day-to-day lives.
“And abroad, this legislation will allocate billions for humanitarian and economic aid, security assistance for Ukraine, and other countries affected by the influx of refugees. The Ukrainian people are suffering a horrible tragedy at the hands of Russia – and we must take every step possible to assist in refugee resettlement and provide humanitarian aid.
“However, I was unable to vote for legislation containing massive defense spending. The final defense spending number was even more than requested by the Pentagon. This ever-increasing military spending continues despite significant waste, fraud and abuse, and the lack of a full audit. That funding can and should be repurposed for our communities instead of being dumped into the profits of a small number of private defense contractors. As we begin the process of crafting the 2023 budget, I will continue to fight to reduce our Pentagon spending and instead redirect that money to working people, parents, and communities across our country.”
The $4.1 million in federal funding Jayapal secured will be split between 10 community-based projects that are located across Washington’s Seventh Congressional District:
- $700,000 for the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s Northwest Native Canoe Center
- $400,000 for the City of Seattle’s Renewable Energy Home Heating Conversions
- $300,000 for the City of Burien’s Enhanced Youth Services
- $322,000 for Oceans Initiative’s Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) at the Ballard Locks
- $275,000 for the Neighborhood House’s WIOA Employment Program
- $750,000 for Plymouth Housing Group’s Pacific Apartments Rehabilitation
- $300,000 for Restorative Justice for Youth in South King County
- $210,000 for Path with Art’s Arts Recovery Project
- $550,000 for the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design (IPD) Instrumentation
- $300,000 for Seattle Repertory Theatre’s renovations
For more information on the 10 projects, click here.