July 29, 2021

Gallego Celebrates Wins for Arizonans and all Americans in FY 2022 Appropriations Bills

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) issued the following statement today after House passage of H.R. 4502, a spending package that includes seven FY 2022 Appropriations bills funding key domestic programs:

"I'm proud that our Democratic majority is getting America back on track with spending priorities that put the middle class and working families first," Rep. Gallego said. "America needs bold action to defeat the virus, heal our economy, and ensure that no family is left behind. The investments in this bill meet the moment by increasing access to quality education and health care, investing in medical research and public health, creating new, good-paying jobs, combatting food insecurity, helping families afford housing and child care, protecting our environment for future generations, and ensuring our veterans are getting the care they deserve."

This seven-bill package contains several provisions which Rep. Gallego authored and fought for, including:

  • $20 million for strengthening teacher diversity through the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence grant program for the first time. The program provides much needed funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) like Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to establish centers of excellence supporting the recruitment, training, and retention of a diverse teacher workforce.
  • $200.5 million for health care for Native Americans living in urban areas, an historic increase of $137.82 million over FY21.
  • Rep. Gallego's Urban Indian Health Providers Facilities Improvement Act [HR 3496] is included in the package, which would pave the way for increased investment in urban Indian health infrastructure.
  • $31 million for the Bureau of Land Management's Threatened and Endangered Species Program, $24.5 million for Forest Service Land Management and Planning, and $29 million for Forest Service Habitat Management. All three funding levels are significant increases from FY2021 enacted levels.
  • Language prohibiting the use of funds for any road development in the Tongass National Forest.
  • $12,963,000 for Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities program - $5 million above FY21's enacted level. The program provides grants to ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities.
  • Language supporting funding parity for Valley Metro's Northwest Extension light rail project in Phoenix.
  • Language from the Complete Streets Act supporting investment in safe and accessible transportation options for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users, as well as for people of all ages and abilities.
  • $3 million for outreach to Native American small businesses through the Small Business Administration, a $1 million increase from FY21.

H.R. 4502 also contains over $8 million that Rep. Gallego secured for local projects in Arizona's 7th District, including:

  • $1,500,000 for United States Veterans Initiative (US VETS) to renovate and upgrade veteran transitional housing for many of the 7th District's most vulnerable veterans.
  • $175,000 for the Be A Leader Foundation to re-engage recent graduates from two of the most diverse high school districts in Arizona and provide them with individualized support with the financial aid and postsecondary application process.
  • $900,000 for the Terros Health McDowell Health Center in Phoenix, AZ to expand primary care and behavioral health patient capacity and integrated care in a medically underserved area.
  • $1,200,000 for the Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center in Phoenix, AZ to create the Arizona Hospitality Academy to provide job skills training and high-quality employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged communities and communities of color in the Phoenix area.
  • $638,000 for the City of Tolleson to upgrade and replace a potable water well through the Arizona Environmental Infrastructure Program at the Army Corps of Engineers.
  • $1,391,402 for Chicanos Por La Causa to establish the Vista Village Resident Service Center to provide wraparound services to the 80-unit Vista Village affordable housing complex also run by CPLC that serves low-income residents and special populations including homeless, veterans, seniors, and domestic violence survivors.
  • $840,000 for the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe to establish a Child Education Center in Guadalupe, AZ that will house an Internet Cafe for the public and classroom and virtual learning space for disadvantaged K-12 students.
  • $501,824 for the Town of Guadalupe to complete the Highline Canal Recreational Path Lighting Project to improve safety and recreational use of the Highline Canal Path.
  • $1,000,000 for the City of Phoenix to transform the historic Crippled Children's Hospital in the Edison-Eastlake community into a community services center.

A full summary of the spending provisions in H.R. 4502 can be found here.

Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.