Rep. Cleaver Votes in Favor of First Minibus Appropriations Package, Including His Amendment to Provide Funding For Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 2740, the Fiscal 2020 Labor-HHS-Education, Defense, State-Foreign Ops, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Minibus. As stated in the bill's title, it will fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, Defense, State, and Energy for Fiscal Year 2020, and passed by a vote of 226-203. Included in the legislation was Congressman Cleaver's amendment to provide an additional $6.5 million in funding for Garrett Lee Smith grants to be used for youth suicide awareness and prevention. The money would assist with training for school personnel and high school students on the signs of depression and suicidal behavior.

"Like any appropriations bill, there was substantial compromise with give and take from both sides, but I am very pleased with the final product," said Congressman Cleaver. "We fought hard to ensure priorities regarding our For The People agenda were included, such as additional K-12 education funding, student loan relief, investments in workforce development and child care, increased funding for Community Health Centers, a pay raise for the military, and language explicitly denying congressional authorization for the use of military force with Iran to name only a few."

"On a personal note, I'm ecstatic that my amendment to provide additional funding for youth suicide awareness and prevention was overwhelmingly adopted by my colleagues. That funding will be instrumental in providing teachers and students the training needed to identify and prevent potential tragedies that are becoming all-too-common among our nation's children," Congressman Cleaver said.

Some highlights of the Appropriations bill include:

• Increases to K-12 education by $3.4 billion over last year, including more funding for Title I Grants and Special Education.

• $436 million increase in higher education programs, in addition to a $492 million increase in federal student aid programs

• Over $4 billion in additional early childhood programs, with increased funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, providing care for 300,000 additional children

• $1.5 billion increase to Head Start

• Investments in apprenticeships, workforce training and other pathways to quality jobs, including $150 million for Strengthening Community College Training Grants

• Increase of $300 million for the Social Security Administration to hire additional staff at field offices and provide service at phone and processing centers.

• Increased funding for Community Health Centers, substance abuse treatment and behavioral health programs, as well as $116 million more for HIV/AIDS program.

• A 3.1 percent pay raise for the military, in addition to extending certain special pay and bonuses for active-duty and reserve personnel

• Increases funding above the President's request for the Department of Defense and Armed Services Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs

• Research funding for cancer, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord research

• A provision stating nothing in the Act may be construed as authorizing the use of military force against Iran.

• A provision directing the removal of the U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress

"While we will need to iron out discrepancies with the Senate's version—once they introduce and pass their proposal—I am very confident we will find a compromise that works for the American people," said Congressman Cleaver.

The bill will next go to a conference committee to reconcile any differences between the House and Senate versions before going to the President's desk for signature.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matthew Helfant at 202-225-4535 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov You can find a high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver here.