Washington, D.C.— Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan government funding bill, H.R. 2471, which will support our allies abroad and make a positive difference in the lives of North Carolina families and workers. This omnibus package provides funding to create jobs in our state, invest in innovation and medical research in the Triangle, and lower the high cost of childcare, college tuition, and housing. The legislation also allocates security and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act.

This spending bill contains many provisions spearheaded by Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), including more than $10 million in funding for community projects in Wake County. These projects designate federal investments in local universities, affordable housing, transportation, infrastructure, and more.

“I’m incredibly proud to vote for these historic investments in North Carolina as well as additional support for the people of Ukraine in their courageous struggle for freedom,” said Congresswoman Ross. “I fought hard to secure more than $10 million in funding for community projects that will support underserved areas, foster economic development, and make a real difference in the lives of the people of Wake County. This legislation is a testament to the work we can accomplish when we set our partisan differences aside and put the interests of the American people first. From finally reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and strengthening Pell Grants, to funding security and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, this legislation tackles the most pressing challenges our nation is facing. I urge my Senate colleagues to swiftly pass the bill and send it to President Biden’s desk.”

Within the legislation, Congresswoman Ross secured funding for 10 Wake County community projects. These include:

• $500,000 for Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification DNA Testing Equipment
• $300,000 for Morrisville Small Business Development Program
• $3,000,000 for South Raleigh Heritage Walk
• $1,000,000 for Cary Regional Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility
• $1,030,405 for Town of Garner Streetscape and Parking Improvements on Rand Mill Road
• $2,000,000 for King's Ridge permanent, supportive housing
• $1,000,000 for Wake County Emergency Operations Center
• $900,000 for Town of Cary for Swift Creek Stormwater Management and Modeling Program
• $350,000 for North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC for computer science education
• $600,000 for Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, NC for college preparation and success initiative

For more information on each of these projects, click here.

The bill also reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which has been one of Congresswoman Ross’ top priorities since taking office. VAWA makes vital improvements to programs and laws to combat gender-based violence based on extensive consultations with victim service providers, law enforcement, and other experts. This reauthorization includes a Ross-led bill, the Supporting Access to Nurse Exams Act, which addresses the national shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), who are instrumental in providing medical care to survivors of sexual assault. VAWA also includes a Ross amendment that will fund the creation of databases detailing where these nurses are located, a pressing issue in North Carolina.

The government funding legislation also includes significant investments to: 

• Support the Ukrainian people as they continue to be attacked by Russia. The bill includes $13.6 billion in emergency funding for humanitarian, military, and economy support, as well as measures to help the millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the country.
• Reduce costs for working families in America by expanding child care and early learning programs to more working families, investing in America’s K-12 public schools, and making college more affordable. The bill increases the maximum for Pell Grants to $6,895, the largest expansion in more than a decade. It also includes $363 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
• Establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to accelerate the pace of scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer.
• Create good-paying American jobs, putting North Carolinians to work rebuilding our infrastructure, helping small businesses grow and thrive, fostering the green energy jobs of tomorrow, and supporting high-quality job training. The bill designates $235 million for Registered Apprenticeships and $50 million to continue and expand Strengthening Community College Training Grants. It also includes $8.84 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support cutting-edge research in the Triangle and beyond.
• Support the vulnerable by meeting Americans basic needs, by strengthening nutrition assistance, and funding more affordable housing. The legislation includes $11 billion for new affordable housing, critical health, safety, and maintenance improvements to ensure the safety and quality of public and low-income housing and community development activities.

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