Rep. Israel Supports Omnibus; Delivers Key Provisions for Queens & Long Island
Washington— Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which includes key provisions for New York, including Queens and Long Island. Passed by the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 316-113, the omnibus appropriates $1.1 trillion in spending through FY 2016.
“This bill isn’t perfect, but it’s a true win for hardworking Americans, making investments in education, renewable energy and middle-class jobs. The original bill Republicans drafted would have been destructive for middle-class New Yorkers, but House Democrats worked to turn the tables, and we’re proud of this bipartisan compromise.”
Additionally, the omnibus reauthorized the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which makes the World Trade Center Health Program permanent and reauthorizes the Victims Compensation Fund for five years. Rep. Israel is a co-sponsor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act.
“This is a huge victory for our first responders who risked their lives and their health on 9/11 to save others and, for weeks after, worked tirelessly at Ground Zero when no one else would. Our heroes deserve a government that works for them, and I am pleased that after months of fighting alongside our first responders and cleanup and recovery workers like John Sferazo, House Republicans finally came to the table to ensure these heroes don’t have to wait another day to get the health care they deserve.”
Despite the positive investments included in the bill, Rep. Israel did express deep concerns about riders Republicans refused to take out that deny the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) authority to research gun violence, and end the 40-year old ban on crude oil exports.
“I have made clear that this bill is not perfect. More specifically, I am disappointed that the omnibus includes a Republican rider that denies the CDC the ability to compile data and information so we can study how to most effectively stop gun violence and protect the American people. I was also frustrated to learn that, in order to ensure Republican support, Speaker Ryan had to end the 40-year old ban on crude oil exports, a blatant handout to the oil industry at the expense of American jobs. House Republican priorities are clear – protecting special interests like big oil and the NRA are more important than protecting hardworking American jobs and saving innocent lives.”
Key provisions for New York supported by Rep. Israel:
Increased funding for the Helen Keller National Center. In Sands Point, NY, the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) provides critical support and rehabilitation for deaf-blind youths and adults in New York. This bill increases the federal investment to $10.3 million, which is $1.2 million more than in 2015 and nearly $500,000 more than the president’s request.
Improves Community Involvement in Airplane Flight Routes. Rep. Israel helped secure language that directs the FAA Administrator to update the FAA’s Community Involvement Manual to enhance community involvement techniques and proactively address concerns associated with new flight routes.
Protects American Security. After terrorist attacks abroad and here at home, the omnibus includes critical funding support for our firefighters, police and first responders to keep Americans safe. Including, but not limited to, $690 million for grants to firefighters and first responders, and $600 million for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), which enhances regional preparedness and capabilities in the nation’s highest-risk, highest-threat, highest-density urban areas including New York City.
Strong Investment in Brookhaven National Lab. Brookhaven National Lab on Long Island is one of our country’s premier research centers. The omnibus encourages the Department of Energy to fund the optimal operations for Brookhaven National Lab’s Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and increases funding for a full year of operations for Brookhaven National Lab National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS)-II from $105 million to $110 million.
Helping Coop and Condo Owners After a Disaster. More than three years after Superstorm Sandy, many co-op, condo associations, and common-interest communities are still in desperate need of repairs but are not eligible for FEMA assistance. Language secured in the omnibus directs FEMA to provide options on how to make common spaces in coops, condos, and certain common-interest communities eligible for FEMA grants after a disaster. Rep. Israel has sponsored additional legislation that would make co-ops, condo associations, and certain common-interest communities eligible for vital FEMA assistance and grants, which are currently available to homeowners.
Expanding Investment in Merchant Marine Academy. In addition to fighting to ensure the Merchant Marine Academy does not close in the event of a government shutdown, Rep. Israel has always supported a strong investment in the United States Military Academies. The FY16 omnibus supports expanding our investment in the Merchant Marine Academy by increasing funding to $18 million for facility maintenance and repair, equipment, and capital improvements.
Prioritizing Alzheimer’s Research. Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5 million Americans - including 380,000 New Yorkers age 65 and older. It's now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and roughly 700,000 Americans will die with the disease this year alone. This bill includes $936 million for Alzheimer’s research and $150 million for the BRAIN Initiative, which combined are more than $400 million more than 2015 funding levels. Rep. Israel has been a strong advocate for increasing funding for Alzheimer’s research, including pushing for a bond initiative that would make New York State the capital of Alzheimer’s research in the United States.
Critical Support for Israel’s Security. Israel is one of the United States’ strongest allies and is a critical partner in the Middle East. Rep. Israel helped secure essential support for Israel, including $40 million to increase cooperation for tunnel detection. In addition, the omnibus includes $3.1 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) or foreign military aid for Israel.
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