Rep. Cisneros Secures Commerce, Justice, and Science Priorities in House-Passed Appropriations Bill

June 21, 2019
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) announced the House passage of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act in H.R. 3055, the Second FY 2020 Appropriations Minibus.  The bill provides a total of $80.3 billion for the programs and activities of the Departments of Commerce and Justice and federal science agencies such as NASA, representing an increase of $8.4 billion  above the FY 2019 funding level, and 11 percent more than the President’s request. 

During consideration on the floor, the Congressman secured passage of three amendments, approved on a bipartisan basis.

The first amendment, offered in conjunction with Congressional Black Caucus member Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), prohibits funding from being used in violation of the Census Bureau’s confidentiality policies.  Although the Census Bureau has one of the strongest confidentiality guarantees in the federal government, actions by this administration have breached the public’s long standing trust with the agency. Between questions surrounding the administration’s motivations for including a citizenship question , and an email exposed last year from an Administration official revealing that they might consider challenging the confidentiality protections of the Bureau, there are serious concerns that public distrust will lead to undercounts in the 2020 Census.  The Clarke/Cisneros Amendment simply reiterates current Census confidentiality laws and ensures that Administration cannot share Census data with anyone outside the Bureau - whether that is a private entity or other federal agency.  The amendment passed by voice vote.

Congressman Cisneros also worked with his colleagues, Congressman Joe Cunningham (SC-01), and fellow House Armed Services Committee member, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), to secure two separate amendments to increase the funding available for Veterans Treatment Courts.  Veterans Treatment Courts keep our veterans out of prisons, and focused on rehabilitation and sobriety.  Funding for the program supports a long-term solution versus a short-term punishment. It is our obligation to ensure our veterans receive the appropriate attention to their needs and do whatever we can to help them transition to an independent civilian life. Both amendments passed by voice vote.  Congressman Cisneros signed a letter organized by Rep. Brownley, urging the House Appropriations Committee to provide strong funding levels for Veterans Treatment Courts.  

Summaries of key provisions advocated by Rep. Cisneros are below:

  • $8.64 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) - Congressman Cisneros submitted a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging strong funding levels for NSF, as led by Rep. Butterfield and Rep. McKinley.  NSF is the only federal agency dedicated to the support of research and education across all fields of science and engineering.  Funding for NSF sustains national economic growth and develops a globally competitive science and engineering workforce. The funding provided under the bill represents an increase of $561.14 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level.  

  • Full funding for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System - To help reduce gun crime, Congressman Cisneros submitted a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging strong funding levels for NICS, as led by Reps. Thompson, King, Nadler, Fitzpatrick, elly and Smith.  The funding provided under this bill will help states upgrade criminal and mental health records and keep guns out of the hands of those that shouldn’t have them.

  • $1.44 billion for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Additionally, Congressman Cisneros submitted a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging strong funding levels for ATF, as led by Rep. Dean.  The funding provided under the bill represents an increase of $122.32 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level.

  • $44 million for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) - Congressman Cisneros submitted a letter to the House Appropriations Committee in support of strong funding for MBDA, under the leadership of Rep. McNerney.  MBDA is the only federal agency whose mission is to promote the growth of minority-owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research. The bill provides an increase of $4 million over the fiscal year 2019 enacted level.

  • $3.4 billion for state and local law enforcement assistance grant programs - Under the leadership of Rep. Pascrell, Congressman Cisneros submitted a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging increased funding for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring and Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) programs.  The COPS hiring program has placed over 130,000 officers in communities across the U.S. to advance community policing and anti-crime programs and Byrne JAG fosters collaboration and information sharing among law enforcement agencies and other segments of the criminal justice system. The bill includes nearly $240 million for COPS hiring grants and $530.25 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants

  • $399.5 million for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - In order to ensure sufficient resources are available to Combat Workplace Harassment and Enforce Equal Pay Data Collection, Congressman Cisneros submitted a letter led by Rep. Frankel in support of strong funding levels for EEOC.  The bill provides an increase of $20 million above fiscal year 2019 and $43.7 million above the Administration’s request.

  • $8.45 billion for the Census Bureau - Adequate funding is necessary to ensure an accurate count in the 2020 Decennial Census.  Congressman Cisneros joined Rep. Maloney and Rep. Connolly in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee in support of a minimum of $8 billion for the Census Bureau.   The bill exceeds this request so that political representation and federal spending are fair and accurate.

  • $100 million for victim services programs for victims of trafficking - Under the leadership of Rep. Torres, Congressman Cisneros submitted a letter to the House Appropriations Committee in support of this program.  These grants have enabled the creation of effective anti-trafficking task forces, such as the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Taskforce, which has rescued at least 120 children and 42 adult victims since its creation in 2015.

Issues: 
Congress