Cox Scores Big Funding Wins for Central Valley

July 28, 2020
Press Release
Cox helps Secure over $27 billion in funding for programs benefiting the Valley
Over the last month, the House has introduced and passed a series of must-pass “minibus” bills to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2021. In this year’s bills, Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) is delivering hard-fought wins for the Valley, which has historically been ignored during the appropriations process. It’s not enough to pass laws and declare victory—securing enough funding for Central Valley priorities requires constant diligence.  
 
The wins in this year’s House spending bills include major Central Valley priorities like protecting Valley agriculture, providing clean, reliable drinking water; upgrading and expanding our water infrastructure; treating asthma; spreading peace throughout the world; providing humanitarian aid; helping rural small businesses navigate this crisis; and ensuring our veterans get the quality medical care they’ve earned. 
 
“The COVID-19 crisis has shown adequate federal funding for Valley priorities isn’t a luxury, it can be a matter of life or death. In my travels across the district, I’ve been so disappointed to hear from many communities that in recent years, barely a finger had been lifted to bring back our tax dollars to Central Valley communities,” said Rep. Cox. “Every part of our infrastructure, from drinking water, to veteran and civilian health care, to small business, to education, to water infrastructure are inextricably linked and all need to get adequate funding, which is what we’re delivering with this year’s House Appropriations package.” 

WATCH REP. COX STATEMENT ON FULL MINIBUS PASSAGE

Drinking Water 

Rep. Cox has fought to ensure access to clean drinking water in underserved rural areas like the Central Valley. The funding would go toward combating tainted water and repairing aging water systems. Included in these wins is: 

  •  Over $54 million for EPA programs which repair public water systems to meet federal safety standards. 
  • $1.126 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund—the primary federal program for ensuring the safety of public drinking water—with an additional $3.86 billion in emergency spending. 
  • $1.64 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance improvements to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. With an additional $6.36 billion for emergency spending.  
  •  $1.4 billion for USDA rural water programs which empower Americans and organizations to improve water infrastructure and protect their well-being through grants and loans with reasonable rates. 

 

Water Infrastructure 

Improving water infrastructure is of paramount importance to the Central Valley, America, and Rep. Cox. As the biggest producers of food in the nation, accessibility to plentiful water year-round is imperative to the economy and well-being of Valley communities. 

Rep. Cox secured millions in appropriations for water projects, including: 

  • $71 million to repair the Friant-Kern Canal, which has lost 60 percent of its carrying capacity due to land subsidence. Other water storage and conveyance projects that would receive funding include the Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion, Sites Reservoir, Delta-Mendota Canal subsidence correction, Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir, and the Pacheco Reservoir expansion. Each project will provide water supply benefits in the Central Valley.  
  • $225 million in the House funding bill for repairs of canals including the Friant-Kern and Delta-Mendota Canals.  
  • $79 million for other water storage projects. 

Rep. Cox also helped secure funds for water management technology improvements 

  • Language supporting continued funding for the Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) program, using the latest technology to more accurately measure snowpack and runoff to better inform water supply forecasting and reservoir management. 
  • A $5 million increase ($10.5 million total) for the Water Operations Technical Support Program to develop multidisciplinary weather forecasting technology to assist reservoir projects.  
  • $400 million for Army Corps Environmental Infrastructure for water supply and storage projects, treatment and distribution systems, and wastewater systems. 

 

Health  

The air we breathe has lasting effects on our overall health, but especially on our lungs. Rep. Cox joined his colleagues on the bipartisan Asthma and Allergy Caucus to advocate for: 

  • $3 million to the National Asthma Control Program. The Program offers grants of up to $800,000 annually, of which the California Department of Public Health receives the maximum reward amount. The increase in funding will help combat the detrimental effects of poor-quality air.  

Rep. Cox understands the threat that the COVID-19 pandemic poses to our communities. Because of Rep. Cox’s efforts, funds were allocated to the following:   

  • Nearly $1 million for procurement of masks, personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, and other medical supplies. 
  • $7.6 billion for Community Health Centers.
  • An additional $175 billion in emergency aid to health providers. 

 

Agriculture 

Agriculture, providing both jobs and food, is the lifeblood of the Central Valley. As such, Rep. Cox is dedicated to advocating for the needs of the industry. A crucial need to ensure continued success of our farmers and ranchers is strong public investment in agricultural research.  In order to combat exotic pests that cause diseases which threaten the livelihood of farmers and farm workers, Rep. Cox garnered bipartisan support for research and response funding for the following: 

  •  $61 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Citrus Health Response Program.  
  • $8.5 million for the HLB Multi-agency Coordination Group 
  • $21.14 million to fight the menacing glassy-winged sharpshooter 
  • $1 million in funds for USDA Agriculture Research Service stations like the one in Parlier which study postharvest losses caused by diseases and physiological disorders. This includes research on potential postharvest methyl bromide alternatives to ensure that high-quality, pest-free goods from the Central Valley can access markets effectively.  

 

Children  

Our children are our future, so it’s important that we give them the support they need to succeed in our society. To help children obtain equal opportunities to succeed in America, Rep. Cox secured:  

  • $5.9 billion for Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG), which provides funds to States, territories, and Tribes to provide financial assistance to help low-income working families and families engaged in training or education activities access childcare and to improve the quality of childcare for all children. 
  • $10.1 billion emergency appropriations for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), $7 billion of which will go toward CCDBG. 
  • $3.5 billion for childcare programs, including those for essential workers  
  • $12.5 million for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, which ensures every child who has experienced abuse or neglect has a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. 

 

Economy & Taxes 

Full Funding for the Department of the Interior’s PILT Program. Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) are federal payments to local governments that help offset losses in property taxes due to the existence of nontaxable Federal lands within their boundaries. All four counties in California’s 21st District receive PILT funding. 

Funding for persistent poverty counties: Rep. Cox secured language directing 10% of the total funding for Economic Development Administration Public Works Grants to be allocated to communities who experience persistent poverty by using the “10-20-30" rule. The rule instructs the agency to direct at least 10% of these funds to counties that have had at least 20% of their population living in poverty over the past 30 years. This formula will ensure that federal funding is invested in the Central Valley communities that need it most. 

 

Energy & Environment 

Rep. Cox pushed for funding to help low-income families pay for their energy bills, protect our public lands, and improve our air quality, securing: 

  • $3.765 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  
  • $14.12 million for the EPA Environmental Justice program, which provides funding to community-based organizations working with vulnerable, low-income, minority, tribal and indigenous communities to address their environmental and health concerns. 
  • $900 million to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as required by the Great American Outdoors Act. 
  • $1.155 billion for State and Local Air Quality Categorical Grants, for communities to better monitor and address local air pollution. 
  • $125 million for competitive grants for zero-low emission busses and bus facilities. These clean transportation programs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. 

 

Education 

Rep. Cox recognizes the need for stable, robust, and comprehensive educational opportunities. Due to Rep. Cox’s efforts the following has been allocated: 

  • $46.6 million to special programs for migrant students. Special programs like the High School Equivalency Program (HEP), which provides academic and support services to help students obtain a high school equivalency certificate, and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which provides tutoring, financial, and counseling services to first-year undergrads, are imperative to the success of the Valley and well-being of its constituents.  
  • $106 million to increase the number of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals available on campus. 
  • $1.22 billion to Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) State Grants, which aim to provide a well-rounded education including the use of technology and STEAM programs for students Pre K-12.  
  • $101 million to YouthBuild to engage disadvantaged and low-income students in a full-time counseling, mentoring, and leadership development program emphasizing education and hands-on job training. 

 

Aid to Federally Impacted Schools: 

Rep. Cox understands that in order for our children to be successful, we must invest in their education. To ensure Central Valley educators have the tools they need to support students, Rep. Cox pushed for provisions for Federal Impact Aid Programs that include: 

  • $1.3 billion for Basic Support Payments to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) 
  • $187 million for Rural Education programs, $1 million more than last year
  • $48 million for Payments for Children with Disabilities 

The Impact Aid Program, signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1950, is the nation’s oldest K-12 Federal education program. Nationwide, approximately 1,200 school districts enrolling more than 11 million students benefit from Impact Aid funding, which is appropriated annually by Congress. 

 

Humanitarian Assistance to Nagorno Karabakh 

Rep. Cox is committed to working with his colleagues to restore peace and stability to international communities. The Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) has one of the highest civilian casualty rates from land mines and unsolicited remnants of war with nearly 400 civilian casualties since 1994. About a quarter of these landmine accidents have been children. Rep. TJ Cox passed a House amendment to ensure that the U.S. appropriates $1.4 million to demining efforts in Artsakh.  

 

Small Business 

Rep. Cox puts his constituents’  safety, health & economic well-being first. That means being proactive about potential and existing issues which might swing inequitably in favor of other, more developed areas. After nearly two years of active effort, Rep. TJ Cox ensured rural small businesses have access to the assistance that the Small Business Administration (SBA) is meant to offer. Included in the appropriations bill is Rep. TJ Cox’s request for a report on the mission, strategic plan, and administrative requirements of the SBA Office of Rural Affairs. The decision helps small businesses access administrative assistance and other Congressional programs they’ll need to survive the current economic crisis.  

Defense 

The US defense program would receive an increase of nearly $1.4 billion for the procurement of aircrafts, including 91 F-35C’s which will be produced in Lemoore.   

 

Veterans 

Rep. Cox is always seeking out new ways to support our veterans. This year, Rep. Cox led a bipartisan letter to report on the current care procedures and programs for Veterans living with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries require intensive, long-term care that is often inaccessible, especially in rural communities. Compounding the issue is a lack of knowledge of available facilities. To combat the lack of access to appropriate care, Rep. Cox pushed for language that directs the VA to ensure that veterans have knowledge of and access to an adequate number of long-term residential care facilities.   

 

Safety 

Rep. TJ Cox is committed to ensuring the safety and security of CA-21 communities and the FY 2021 minibus bills include full funding for the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in order to expand the scope of information available to track and record criminal history to provide accurate data to prohibit delinquents from possessing firearms 

 

Civil Rights 

Rep. Cox also secured $465 million for the Legal Services Corporation to help them promote equal access to justice and to provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income persons for the most vulnerable Americans. 

 

Issues: 
Coronavirus, Health Action Center, Clean Drinking Water, Agriculture, Education, Water Infrastructure, Defense, Veterans, Culture