WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today voted to pass legislation that includes four government funding measures. The bill includes FY20 funding measures for the Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce Science, Justice; Defense; Financial Services and General Government; and Homeland Security. Among the measures in the legislation is one authored by Senator Capito to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The measure passed by a vote of 81 to 11.

Earlier this summer, with Senator Capito’s support, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. That legislation enabled Congress to set appropriations funding levels over the next two years and made it possible for the Senate Appropriations Committee to consider these appropriations bills to end the funding process.

“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ve played a big part in negotiations, and I was proud to complete the appropriations process for FY20 today. The bills within this package address issues and support programs and projects that will benefit West Virginians in many ways. This package also includes my Homeland Security funding bill, which will allow the Department of Homeland Security the resources necessary to continue their good work to secure our borders and keep our homeland safe. As chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, I’ve worked closely with the Trump administration and DHS to make sure they have the resources needed to effectively do their job, and I can confidently say that through President Trump’s leadership and direction, the crisis at the southern border has improved as a result. The Homeland Security bill provides funds and resources to continue the work to stem the tide of illegal immigration, supports the men and women of DHS, invests in personnel, and makes tremendous strides in strengthening our borders through physical barriers—to name a few. I am so proud of the work of the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, and these funds will allow them to continue their great work.

“In addition to border security funding, this legislation also includes resources for many West Virginia priorities that I have long advocated. It highlights efforts to encourage economic development in rural communities, combat the opioid epidemic, support our troops, and help West Virginia businesses, law enforcement, and the many federal facilities who call West Virginia home. These are all things I’ve pledged to champion since my first day in office, and this bill advances and builds on each one, and more.”

Highlights from each funding measure include:

COMMERCE, SCIENCE, JUSTICE 

  • An increase of $29 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which up until Senator Capito was elected to the Senate, was inactive in West Virginia.
  • Language recognizing the importance of Green Bank Observatory in the continued exploration of outer space and encouraging NASA to utilize the world’s largest, fully steerable telescope.
  • $518 million for anti-opioid funding—which will also include other illicit drug use, allowing this money to be available for further uses in West Virginia—and an additional $35 million for Anti-Heroin Task Forces.
  • Violence Against Women Act STOP grants are funded at $215 million.
  • $547 million for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, which contribute to numerous activities of crime prevention and control across the state. 
  • Provides funds for FBI at CJIS in Clarksburg and the ATF.

DEFENSE

  • Supports a 3.1 percent pay raise for our service members.
  • Increases for Civil Air Patrol programs and funding for the Youth ChalleNGe Academy.

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT

  • $285 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program to combat heroin and prescription opioid abuse, along with $101.25 million for the Drug Free Communities Program.
  • A $7 million increase for the Volunteer Income Tax Program (VITA).
  • An increase for the CDFIs, which are helping advance economic development in West Virginia.

HOMELAND SECURITY

As Chairman of the Homeland Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Capito was able to secure these initiatives in her bill that have specific impacts on West Virginia:

  • $65 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) counter-opioid initiatives, which include HSI’s partnership with Marshall University. 
  • $10 million is provided to fund legislation Senator Capito authored – the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016 that established the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam grant program.
  • Increase for the Customs and Border Patrol’s activities at the Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry and encourages support for expansion of training activities at Summit Point. 

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