Press Releases

PLASKETT RELEASES STATEMENT ON $1.7T FEDERAL SPENDING BILL

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Plaskett, a Member of the House Ways and Means, Budget and Agriculture Committees, released the following statement regarding H.R. 2617 – the Omnibus bill with permanent Medicaid funding and Community Project Funding that will benefit the Virgin Islands and other territories.

“After weeks of late nights and early mornings, the Democrat-led House successfully passed H.R.2617, the Omnibus bill— with permanent Medicaid funding and Community Project Funding that will benefit the Virgin Islands and other territories. I am pleased that through the hard work of my office, we were able to finally reach an agreement that would permanently extend the rate of federal funding for Medicaid in the Virgin Islands.

“The omnibus bill also secures Community Project Funding I have requested, which will be enacted into law should this package pass the House and Senate and receive President Biden’s signature this week:

• $900,000 under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative account for the Bright Path Holistic Wellness project.

• $200,000 for the Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) Harbor Study project. 

• $200,000 for the Christiansted Harbor Study project.

• $1,059,152 under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative account for the Christiansted Sunday Market Square Revitalization project

• $1,964,210 under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative account for the Community First Tiny Homes Build Out Phase III project.

• $900,000 under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Operations, Research & Facilities account for the Coral and Aquatic Research and Restoration project

• $4,000,000 under the Airport Improvement Program account for the Cyril E. King Airport Commuter Wing project

• $4,000,000 under the Airport Improvement Program account for the Cyril E. King Airport Safety Drainage project

• $3,984,000 under the Department of Justice Byrne Justice Assistance Grants account for the VIPD Marine Enforcement Vessels project

• $4,000,000 under the Airport Improvement Program account for the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Apron Rehabilitation project

• $4,000,000 under the Airport Improvement Program account for the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Runway project
  

• $2,200,000 for the Virgin Islands Department of Education to incorporate relevant STEM opportunities for students at all levels, ensuring that STEM initiatives are included in various courses and afterschool programs

• $995,000 for the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence for the purchase of capital equipment required to diagnose diabetes and for services to help patients manage their diabetes

• $1,897,000 for the Virgin Islands Fire Services to procure ambulances for emergency medical services

“Our project funding requests specifically focus on providing solutions through social services, particularly tackling homelessness, behavioral and mental health issues, as well as improving infrastructure in the territory. The requests reflect the great priority my office places on the need for education, health care, community development and providing more economic opportunities to our most vulnerable populations. I am very pleased by the inclusion of my office’s FY2023 Community Project Funding requests in this end of year legislation.

“I am also pleased that this funding legislation includes other important provisions for the Virgin Islands and other insular areas of the U.S., including an increase to Department of the Interior funding for assistance to territories, and a directive for the Secretary of the Interior to install a plaque at the peak of Ram Head on St. John to commemorate the 1733 slave rebellion on St. John.  There are also funding increases for energy and environmental protection programs, infrastructure programs, housing programs, research and development, and more funding for federal security assistance to the Caribbean basin. Lastly, this legislation supports our U.S. travel and tourism industry, including by directing the Department of Commerce to develop a 10-year travel and tourism strategy with annual goals to boost the industry.  This provision will also establish an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism in the Department of Commerce, appointed by the President.

“I am grateful to our Caucus for their masterful leadership in crafting a strong, bicameral, bipartisan government funding bill that secured an enormous increase in non-defense discretionary funding – investing heavily in families and workers, honoring our commitment to our veterans, and strengthening Democracy at home and abroad.” 

Click here to follow the progress of H.R.2617.

###