Rep. Cisneros Secures 39th District Priorities in Second House FY21 Appropriations Minibus

July 31, 2020
Press Release
Funding bills passed include Defense, Commerce, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Labor-HHS-Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) secured 39th District priorities in H.R. 7617, the second “minibus” of fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills, which passed the House on July 31st.

“From day one, I’ve made a commitment to fight for the needs of 39th District residents. This appropriations minibus makes the necessary investments in our community,” said Rep. Cisneros. “I’m especially proud that the package includes my bipartisan amendment to increase funding for Small Business Development Centers, like the one at CSUF. This comprehensive minibus also includes much-needed support for education, HSIs, servicemembers and their families, and transportation infrastructure.”

H.R. 7617 totals $1.3 trillion in discretionary funding and consists of six FY 2021 appropriations bills: Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Service and General Government, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development. 

Rep. Cisneros secured the following funding levels to benefit the 39th District. To view a complete Division-by-Division summary of the package, click here.

  • Advancing Education for All: The bill provides $73.5 billion in discretionary appropriations for the Department of Education, an increase of $716 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $6.9 billion above the President’s budget request. This includes $797 million for English Language Acquisition, which Rep. Cisneros had advocated for after the President proposed an elimination of the program in his budget request. It also includes $155 million for Hispanic Serving Institutions, which Rep. Cisneros had pushed for to support higher education institutions that serve high hispanic populations, like at CSUF. Finally, the legislation provides $6,495 for the maximum Pell Grant to help the maximum award keep pace with inflation, and $14.1 billion for Special Education programs, an increase of $208 million above the FY 2020 funding level.
  • Preventing and Addressing Homelessness: The bill provides increases for funding to address homelessness, including $20 million for the HUD/VA Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans, which the President’s budget request proposed eliminating. It also provides an increase for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) as requested by Rep. Cisneros to support homelessness work in CA-39.
  • Advancing Defense Diversity and Supporting Military Families: The bill includes language championed by Rep. Cisneros that directs the Department of Defense to conduct robust outreach efforts to promote diversity among the ranks of our nation’s military officers and an increase in funding for the USOS to allow them to continue to serve servicemembers and their families around the world.
  • Supporting Transportation Infrastructure: The bill provides a total of $107.2 billion in total budgetary resources for the Department of Transportation, an increase of $21.1 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $19.4 billion above the President’s 2021 budget request. This includes $1 billion for National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER/BUILD) and $2.2 billion for Capital Investment Grants. Previously, Rep. Cisneros supported the Moving Forward Act, comprehensive legislation to provide for investments in our transportation infrastructure.

Floor Amendments

  • Supporting Small Businesses: Rep. Cisneros successfully led a bipartisan amendment increasing funding for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) like the one housed on CSUF’s campus. The amendment was adopted unanimously. Rep. Cisneros led a bipartisan letter signed by 70 members advocating for strong funding levels for SBDCs in FY 2021 and testified before the House Appropriations Committee urging an increase in funding.
  • Protecting ACA: Rep. Cisneros successfully offered an amendment led by Rep. Underwood (D-IL-14) to prevent the Department of Justice from using taxpayer funding in support of the lawsuit the Trump Administration has been supporting to undermine the Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 234 to 181. Rep. Cisneros has been a vocal advocate for preserving and expanding the Affordable Care Act and supports legislation to build on its success and expand premium assistance for more families.
  • Transgender Servicemembers: Rep. Cisneros successfully offered an amendment led by Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-14) to prevent the Department of Defense from implementing President Trump’s proposed ban on transgender Americans serving in the military. Rep. Cisneros has been a vocal critic of the policy since its announcement and introduced legislation to guarantee protections for servicemembers discharged from the Armed Services under the discriminatory ban.
  • Supporting Unique Needs of Servicewomen: Rep. Cisneros successfully offered an amendment with Rep. Salad Carbajal (CA-24) to ensure funding is available for the Army to complete a study for body armor modernization to ensure future body armor is designed and fitted properly for all service members, including women. Rep. Cisneros has been a consistent champion of ensuring servicewomen have access to appropriate gear.
Issues: 
Armed Services & Defense, Jobs and Economic Development, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education, Veterans