March 22, 2024 – Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Bipartisan Government Funding Package Backed by Chavez-DeRemer Includes Provisions to Combat Fentanyl Crisis, Improve Child Care Affordability
Today, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) voted in favor of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 – a bipartisan package of six appropriations bills that will complete funding for all government agencies through fiscal year 2024. The legislation contains several of Chavez-DeRemer’s priorities, including increased funding to combat the fentanyl crisis and secure the border, expanded investments in child care, continued support for allies of the United States, and $750,000 to help improve public safety in Clackamas County.
“In a closely divided government that reflects a closely divided country, bipartisanship is the only path forward to successfully address many of the serious issues facing our districts. And with today’s passage of the remaining government funding bills for fiscal year 2024, I’m glad that bipartisanship has once again prevailed,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “This package is full of provisions that will benefit Oregon and the 5th District by improving public safety, combating the fentanyl crisis, securing the southern border, expanding child care affordability, and much more. As we shift our focus to the next fiscal year, I’ll continue working to rise above the gridlock to find solutions and bring Oregonians’ tax dollars back to the 5th District.”
The second and final fiscal year 2024 appropriations package includes Chavez-DeRemer’s Community Project Funding Request of $750,000 for Clackamas County to upgrade and improve its emergency operations center. With this funding, Chavez-DeRemer has secured a total of over $27 million for projects that will improve transportation, infrastructure, and public safety throughout the 5th District.
“The Clackamas County 911 Center is a vital resource for our residents. It needs upgrades to meet the needs of our growing staff to match our growing population, as well as weather any disaster the county may face,” said Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas. “Thank you to Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer and Senators Merkley and Wyden for helping us secure this federal funding to make critical security upgrades and evacuation readiness improvements so that 911 operations may remain continuous and available for our community.”
Additionally, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act contains critical funding for several of Chavez-DeRemer’s top priorities:
- $703 million for counternarcotics support at the Department of Defense (DOD), including $50 million above the president’s budget request for programs to counter illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids;
- An additional $20 million is provided for programs with Mexico to counter illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and transnational criminal organizations, particularly the Sinaloa and Jalisco drug cartels.
- An increase of $19 million to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which includes expanded funding for substance use disorder prevention and treatment;
- $496 million to hire 22,000 border patrol agents, the highest level ever funded to help secure the southern border – with an additional increase of $283.5 million to acquire new border security technology;
- Expanded access to child care for low-income families by increasing funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grants by $725 million;
- Support for military service members by funding the largest pay raise in over two decades; and
- Assistance for democratic allies of the United States to deter threats from our adversaries, including:
- $500 million for U.S.-Israeli missile defense programs;
- $300 million to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine; and
- $300 million to support U.S. and allied operations in the Indo-Pacific to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
Learn more about the first appropriations package HERE, including funding Chavez-DeRemer secured for 5th-District projects.
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