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January 2, 2023
In the News

Random Lengths News: Rep. Barragán Secures over $20 Million for Local Projects in Congressional Package to Fund Government

Random Lengths News:

Reporters Desk

PUBLISHED: January 2, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) Dec. 23 voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill that includes 15 projects that the Congresswoman worked to identify and advocated to fund and be included in the end-of-the-year omnibus. 

Rep. Barragán championed 15 community projects totaling $20,318,186. Some of the projects that will receive federal funds as a result of these efforts will reduce emissions, build green spaces in South Los Angeles, improve access to healthcare and ensure eligible children and adults remain on Medicaid and help those no longer eligible transition to other coverage. 

The bill also includes several other priorities that the Congresswoman led on and worked to include, like funding for health care and innovative research to address cancer and Alzheimer’s, investments in clean energy, and public housing. 

Rep. Barragán’s local community projects include:

  •  $1,000,000 for the AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, CA for postsecondary ocean-based research, including equipment 
  • $4,000,000 for the Harbor Community New Technology Career Development Center
  • $4,000,000 for the New Boys & Girls Club for Harbor Gateway
  • $1,500,000 for the Public Charging Infrastructure for Battery Electric Drayage Trucks
  • $375,000 for the San Pedro Family Shelter Upgrades 
  • $375,000 for the TCC Family Health, Long Beach, CA for facilities and equipment
  • $922,000 for the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Los Angeles, CA for afterschool programming and arts education
  • $200,000 for the Wilmington Community Clinic, Wilmington, CA for facilities and equipment 

Rep. Barragán also advanced several priorities in the overall bill: Environmental Justice and Climate

  • Energy future grants program: Increased funding from $20M in FY 22 to $27M for FY23. Rep. Barragán led a letter for increased funding for this program, which will fund community clean energy projects, including clean energy microgrids in underserved communities.
  •  Electric vehicle car share language: Rep. Barragán led an appropriations letter to successful include language in the Omnibus that says, “The Department of Energy is directed to prioritize funding and technical assistance through its grant programs for electric vehicle car share programs at public housing facilities.” This language supports the EVs for All Act legislation Rep. Barragán has introduced.
  • Advanced technology vehicles manufacturing program: The Omnibus includes text that provides greater flexibility to DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program, unlocking over $17 billion in funds to support the manufacture of zeroemissions technology for medium-and heavy-duty vehicles, locomotives, maritime vessels, aircraft, and more. Rep. Barragán led a letter requesting the policy language that made this change.
  • Targeted airshed grant program: There is $69.9M for the Targeted Airshed Grant Program, a $7.9 million increase over FY22. This has been a top appropriation ask from Rep. Barragán each year, since the program provides competitive grants on a competitive basis to the five most polluted areas in the country, including the LA area
  • Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership or ORLP: There is $125M for the ORLP program that funds urban parks. This is an increase of $15M over FY 22. Rep. Barragán led a letter for increased funding and has proposed legislation called the Outdoors for All Act to codify the ORLP program.

 Health Equity and Access to Healthcare

  • Rep. Barragán’s bill, the TRIUMPH for New Moms Act (H.R. 4217), was included in the omnibus. The bill establishes a task force on maternal mental health to improve maternal health outcomes.
  • The Omnibus provides two additional years of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP through 2029, ensuring the ongoing stability of a critical safety net program for low-income children. Rep. Barragán has legislation that would make CHIP permanent.
  •  The Omnibus includes provisions that strengthen coverage in Medicaid, such as requiring states to provide children with 12 months of continuous eligibility when they enroll in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Rep. Barragán led two letters this year to leadership regarding improvements to Medicaid and CHIP. 
  • The Omnibus includes guardrails for Medicaid unwinding to protect healthcare for lowincome children and families. Rep. Barragán led two letters this year to leadership to prevent massive Medicaid health coverage losses when States begin their eligibility redetermination process. 
  • John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Program: The omnibus provides $12 million, an increase of $8 million, to expand support for minority-serving institutions and health disparities research. In March 2022, President Joe Biden signed Rep. Barragán’s bill, H.R. 189, into law to revitalize the research endowment program. This increased funding secured by Rep. Barragán will support that effort.
  • Social determinants of health: Rep. Barragán led efforts to secure $8 million in funding at the CDC to equitably address social determinants of health. The Omnibus also authorizes $35 million for an improving health outcomes program at the office of the HHS Secretary to address factors that contribute to negative health outcomes in marginalized communities. Both programs are based on legislation Rep. Barragán has introduced. 
  • National breast and cervical cancer early detection program: Rep. Barragán led a letter and efforts to secure $235 million in funding for FY23, an $8 million increase from FY22. 
  • Office of Refugee Resettlement or ORR: The Omnibus provides $750 million for postrelease services, legal services, and child advocates to ensure the necessary legal requirements are met to provide expanded services to unaccompanied children. Rep. Barragán led efforts with Rep. Castro (D-TX) to secure a $192 million increase in funding. 
  • Multiple Myeloma Language: Rep. Barragán led an appropriations letter to successfully include language in the Omnibus that says “The Committee is concerned about the burden of multiple myeloma on patients and their caregivers. The Committee encourages CDC to increase outreach and education.” 

Removing Barriers to Housing 

  • Barriers to housing for the justice impacted: Rep. Barragán successfully included language in the House Budget Report directing the Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD to consider reforms aimed at improving housing for those impacted by the justice system and assess for opportunities in reducing barriers for these individuals. Rep. Barragán led a letter with more than 20 other Members of Congress requesting this assessment.
  • Documentation barriers related to housing: The final deal maintains report language encouraging the U.S. Government and Accountability Office to study the documentation barriers people experiencing homelessness face in obtaining housing and provide recommendations the federal government can take to reduce these obstacles. Rep. Barragán led a letter requesting a multi-agency assessment on the documentation barriers to housing assistance programs people experiencing homelessness face.
  • Barriers to federal benefits and services: The final budget agreement maintains language to aid with homeless service providers through capacity-building grants to help our most vulnerable navigate the federal benefits system. Rep. Barragán led a letter requesting $20 million for a pilot program to expand service providers’ capacity to assist our unhoused neighbors navigate and receive federal benefits. 

Port Security 

  • Port Security Grant Program (PSGP): Rep. Barragán co-led a letter with Rep. Lowenthal to increase funding to $112 million in FY23, a $12 million dollar increase from FY22. The Omnibus provided $100 million for FY23 (the same amount as FY22).