Appropriations Committee Approves the Fiscal Year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Funding Bill

Jul 11, 2018
Press Release

The House Appropriations Committee today approved the draft fiscal year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) funding bill on a vote of 30-22. The legislation includes funding for programs within the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and other related agencies.

In total, the draft bill includes $177.1 billion in discretionary funding, essentially the same as the 2018 enacted level. The bill targets investments in medical research, public health, biodefense, education, and important activities that help promote job readiness. The legislation also includes several provisions to rein in unnecessary regulations and to protect the sanctity of life.

“This bill funds critical programs that will protect and save lives both now and in the future, and help prepare the next generation to be part of a productive workforce to grow our economy and provide for their families. This includes investments in vital research to cure diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s, job training, college preparation, and special education programs, and protections against health threats such as pandemics and bio-threats,” House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen said. “The bill also continues funding for services to ensure that unaccompanied immigrant children have proper housing and care, and that eligible refugee families have the resources needed to settle in communities across the country and achieve self-sufficiency. We will continue our oversight responsibilities to ensure that separated families are reunited as quickly as possible, and that adequate resources are provided to do so.”

“Once again, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill prioritizes and reflects the values that Americans truly care for. For the fourth consecutive year, the bill allocates increased funds for the National Institutes of Health at $1.25 billion, for a total of $38.3 billion. These funds will greatly benefit numerous medical research programs, combat opioid abuse and support the search for cures for many cancers and diseases. Additionally, the bill includes increases for important education programs like TRIO, career and technical education, and early childhood education initiatives. Provisions related to the protection of human life are continued in this year’s bill as well. This bill is one that supports and benefits all Americans,” LHHS Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole said.

The following amendments were adopted by the full committee today:

Rep. Cole – The amendment makes technical and non-controversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.  

Rep. DeLauro – The amendment requires HHS to submit a plan to reunify immigrant children with their parents. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Cole – The amendment clarifies standards for family detention. The amendment would permit detention of families as a unit. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 31-21.

Rep. Pingree – The amendment supports efforts to house immigrant children who are siblings together. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Aderholt – The amendment prohibits discrimination against a child welfare service provider based on the provider’s religious or moral beliefs. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 29-23.

Rep. Clark – The amendment prohibits the administration of medication to unaccompanied alien children unless certain conditions deem such medication medically necessary. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Pocan – The amendment expresses a sense of Congress regarding family separations and the reunification of immigrant families. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz – The amendment requires an Inspector General report on family separation and reunification politics. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Ruppersberger – The amendment reaffirms HHS statutory responsibilities for unaccompanied alien children. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. DeLauro – The amendment directs $10 million to fund mental health services for children separated from their families at the border. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Clark – The amendment prohibits funding for HHS to use questions of religion in the process of family reunification. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Clark – The amendment requires a report on pre-literate unaccompanied alien children. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Kaptur – The amendment adds language to protect personal and genetic information of children and adults if used in the process of family reunification. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Clark – The amendment requires a report on the mental health of separated children. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. McCollum – The amendment allows for student loan deferment for those undergoing cancer treatment. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Kaptur – The amendment requires a report on prescription drug prices. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 26-25.

Rep. Cole – The amendment adds language related to student loan collection, requiring performance metrics be met before certain Federal Student Aid agency employees can receive a performance bonus. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Mr. Price – The amendment changes language in the Managers Amendment and the Committee report to include reporting requirements related to the separation of children and the reunification process. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

For a summary of the bill, please visit:

/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395353

For the bill report, please visit:

/uploadedfiles/labor_report.pdf

For the text of the bill, please visit:

https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP07/20180615/108431/BILLS-115-SC-AP-FY2019-LaborHHS-LaborBill.pdf


*Updated: 7/12/2018 9:00 AM

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115th Congress