The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #17
On Capitol Hill
Serrano Fights for Democratic Priorities During Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2015 Floor Consideration
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2015. Serrano, the lead Democrat on the subcommittee that drafted the bill, led the opposition to the legislation, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Treasury, Securities and Exchange Commission, General Services Administration, Small Business Administration, federal employees, the federal judiciary, the District of Columbia, and other federal agencies.
"It is unfortunate that this bill fails the American people. By cutting funds for critical functions of our federal government, this bill will hurt taxpayers, investors, retirees, federal employees and the private sector.
For instance, this legislation funds the IRS at well below last year's funding level, and well below the sequestration level that caused so many problems just a year ago. This funding level will prevent the agency from collecting money from tax cheats, expand the tax gap, and increase our deficit. Additionally, the Securities and Exchange Commission is also severely underfunded at a level of $1.4 billion. This is $300 million below the President's request, and is simply insufficient to allow the agency to properly oversee Wall Street and protect investors, including many retirees who have 401(k) and pension plans that are invested in the marketplace. There are numerous other cuts to the bill that are harmful as well, including the elimination of the Election Assistance Commission, cuts to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and the General Services Administration, all of which have negative impacts on the operations of our federal government and private sector job growth."
"Not only does this bill inadequately fund important federal agencies, but it contain many policy riders that are draconian and inappropriate. From limitations on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act to restrictions on the Consumer Product Safety Commission, this must pass bill is weighed down by dozens of Republican policy priorities. When we choose politics over the needs of the American people, we should not be surprised when those same people become cynical about their elected representatives. The appropriations process is not, and should not, be the place to add every partisan priority that the other side cannot pass through the regular legislative process. I feel confident that the American people would rather just have us get on with our jobs, instead of rehashing the same arguments over the Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank, or many other issues."
"I am saddened to have had to vote against this bill, but given its many problems, I could not in good faith support it."
The bill moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
Serrano Supports New York City's Department of Transportation's Application for Funding to Safeguard the NYC Ferry System
Earlier this week, Congressman José E. Serrano and other members of the New York Congressional Delegation co-signed a letter of support of the New York City’s Department of Transportation’s (NYCDOT) application for funding from the Federal Transit Administration Sandy Resilience Program. The letter asked the U.S. Secretary of Transportation—Anthony Foxx—to provide critical funds that will safeguard the NYC ferry system.
The New York Harbor has the largest network of urban commuter ferries in North America and carries close to 100,000 passengers every day. If awarded, the funding will lead to the construction of three modern 4,500 passenger vessels, the renovation of facilities in order to accommodate new vessels, and the floodproofing of the facilities in order to withstand the type of damage experienced during Hurricane Sandy.
Grant Announcement
Affordable Care Act New Access Point Grants
Deadline: August 20, 2014
The Health Resources & Services Administration has made funding available through its Health Center Program to support New Access Points (NAPs) that will improve access to comprehensive primary healthcare services for currently underserved populations. NAPs should work to increase access to quality, culturally competent primary healthcare, while working to improve the health status of vulnerable communities. All nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and local government groups are encouraged to apply.
Please follow this link for the full grant announcement http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=259053 . For more information about federal grants please visit http://www.grants.gov.
On Social Media
Serrano Joins Instagram
Congressman Serrano has joined Instagram. Follow him at @RepJoseSerrano for behind-the-scenes pictures of him in the Bronx and on Capitol Hill.