Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the below statement after voting for the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense and Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill.
“The appropriations bill makes important investments in local communities and supports jobs in Washington state’s Second District. These investments will help small businesses grow, support the next generation workforce for the global economy and ease burdens for small businesses looking to work with the federal government,” said Larsen.
“I am pleased to see recognition of the importance of Pell grants, apprenticeships and the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program which help thousands of students in my district access affordable education and prepare them for the future of work. This next generation of workers will fill critical jobs in Washington’s Second District.”
The bill includes the following appropriations to support Washington state communities:
Supports the development of a global workforce: More than 165,000 two-year college students are enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs in Washington state. The appropriations bill provides $1.3 billion to support CTE programs and help prepare the next generation workforce for the global economy. Additionally, the budget increases the maximum Pell Grant awards by $100. These grants have supported more than 14,000 students in Washington’s Second District.
Supports local small businesses: Procurement Technical Assistance Centers help small businesses work with the federal government. The appropriations bill adds $17.7 million above the budget request to help support and grow Washington state’s economy.
Supports local military communities: Larsen successfully included $40 million for Impact Aid payments to schools that serve military students, like the Oak Harbor School District, with an additional $10 million for students with severe disabilities. This total level is a $15 million increase over last year.
Supports local efforts to combat the opioid epidemic: About 600 people die each year in Washington state due to opioid overdose, and nearly 20 percent of all heroin-related deaths in Washington have occurred in Snohomish County. The appropriations bill provides more than $4 billion for behavioral health workforce training, prevention, treatment, surveillance, research and support for children and family programs.
