December 21, 2020

Casten Statement on Passage of COVID Relief Package, Omnibus Spending Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) voted for H.R. 133, the more than $2.3 trillion fiscal year 2021 appropriations omnibus and emergency coronavirus relief bill.

Casten said, "For over eight months, I've fought alongside my Democratic colleagues in the House for COVID-19 relief sufficient to get the virus under control and ensure struggling Americans can stay afloat. I'm pleased we passed a bipartisan bill that includes urgent, necessary funding for our small businesses, vaccine distribution, child care, direct payments to help our families, and unemployed Americans. While this is a step in the right direction, I'm disappointed that funding for our state and local governments was not included in the package. Next Congress, I will continue to fight to give people the support they need until the pandemic and economic crisis are fully behind us."

The fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations bill expands access to housing, tackles food insecurity, funds local preparedness grants and gun violence research to keep our communities safe, and expands internet access for rural communities.

Casten, a leader on climate change, is pleased the legislation provides significant funding to protect the environment and combat climate change. Specifically, it provides $2.86 billion for DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ($72 million above FY 2020); $427 million for ARPA-E to support the development of clean, affordable, and secure energy ($2 million above FY 2020); $7.026 billion for DOE's Office of Science to support energy innovation for the future ($26 million above FY 2020); and $182 million for NOAA Climate Research ($12.5 million above FY 2020).

The FY21 Appropriations Bill provides:

  • $16.5 billion for Education for the Disadvantaged Grants to Local Educational Agencies and $12.9 billion for IDEA Special Education Grants to States.
  • Expands access to housing, providing $43.4 million in new targeted vouchers to reduce homelessness among families with children, individuals, the unsheltered, veterans, and survivors of domestic violence.
  • Tackles food insecurity, with full funding for WIC, child nutrition programs, and SNAP.
  • Builds safer communities, with $25 million split evenly for federal research at the CDC and NIH into our nation's gun violence epidemic, as well as $85 million for grants to improve the NICS firearms background check system.
  • Protects our environment, with $9.24 billion, a $180 million increase, for the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure clean air and water and to hold polluters accountable.
  • $7.8 billion for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resource development activities and develops civil works projects to improve navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Several infrastructure projects were funded, including a flood risk feasibility study for DuPage County and the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to support commerce and prevent Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan.

The package also contains $900 billion much-needed emergency coronavirus relief. Among its provisions, the bill provides:

  • Billions in urgently need funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to crush the virus;
  • $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the COVID hunger crisis;
  • A new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child;
  • A $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work;
  • $284 billion in PPP loans; key modifications to serve minority, women, veteran-owned, non-profits and the smallest businesses; $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, theatres, and museums; and $20 billion for targeted EIDL grants crucial for Main Street.
  • $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open; and
  • An additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus.