WASHINGTON DC - Today, the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which will fund the federal government through September 30, 2010. Rep. Michael Honda (CA-15), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, lauded the passage of the bill, noting the $11.331 million in new dollars to California’s 15th district.

Rep. Honda commented on his funding requests, some of which are detailed below, by saying, “Given the state of our nation’s economy, these requests come at a critical time and will not only spur job growth, innovation, and economic development in my district, but, importantly, reassure my constituents that their tax dollars are being efficiently and effectively returned to their communities in visible and meaningful ways.” A complete list of Rep Honda’s requests that received funding in this legislation may be found here.

Rep. Honda serves on the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee which handles the portion of the bill that funds important federal law enforcement activities; science, technology, and innovation programs; the Census; and environmental protection efforts. Congressman Honda led the fight to include over $7.3 billion for the Census Bureau to ramp up efforts for conducting the 2010 Decennial Census, and helped restore $330 million in funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, for which the President’s budget request proposed to eliminate funding.

Rep. Honda secured $6,925,000 in funding for critical programs in California’s 15th district. Examples include funding to the City of San Jose for its Police Department for Mobile Data Computer Replacement ($710,000); Santa Clara County for Criminal Justice Information Control ($1 million); City of San Jose for the "Skills to Succeed" Prisoner Re-Entry Pilot Project ($400,000); Santa Clara County Office of Education for the Information Network for Student Success ($400,000); Santa Clara County Delinquency Model Court ($170,000); and San Jose State University for its Community Collaborative Response to Victims of Domestic Violence ($440,000).

Rep. Honda also serves on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. He said, “Given the rising unemployment rate in Santa Clara County and throughout California, as well as the economic crunch facing the state, if there is federal funding available – in assistance for job training, educational programs, social services, and affordable housing – I will make sure my constituents are receiving it. These federal dollars come at a critical time, helping keep my district afloat throughout this recession, while preparing the solid foundation for successfully weathering uncertain times.

Rep. Honda authored language in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) portion of the bill directing the Department of Education to establish a national Educational Opportunity and Equity Commission. The Commission, which stems from Rep Honda’s legislation (H.R. 1758) calling for a national dialogue, has broad support and attends to the President’s concern regarding the “relative decline of American education,” which is “untenable for our economy, unsustainable for our democracy, and unacceptable for our children.” At Rep. Honda’s request, the LHHS bill directs the Secretary of Education to create a national commission charged with gathering public opinions and insights about how government can improve education and eliminate disparities in the education system. Comprised of parents, teachers and experts on equity, civil rights, education policy, school finance, economics, and taxation — not merely state and federal legislators — the reform road map would be written by all users and beneficiaries of America’s education system.

Finally, Rep. Honda secured $2,416,000 for California’s 15th district in Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, which include: City College of San Jose, California Construction College to train students for careers in construction management ($368,000); Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Community Home Partnership Program to support medically fragile, severely developmentally disabled patients ($300,000); Santa Clara County Valley Health and Hospital System, facilities and equipment (electronic patient index system) ($292,000); Franklin McKinley School District, Global Student Learning Passport, San Jose, CA for an academic enrichment and college preparation program. ($180,000).

The legislation also includes funding priorities for transportation, housing, financial services, military construction, veterans affairs, and state and foreign operations. Again, a comprehensive list of Rep Honda’s requests that received funding in the legislation may be found here.