Government funding bill boosts veterans homelessness funding, renewable energy research, military construction

United States – Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) voted to fund critical programs as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water Development, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Appropriations spending bill. The bill includes an amendment introduced by Rep. Peters to prohibit funding for homeless veterans services from being redirected or used for any other purpose. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for a signature.

“Yesterday, we funded programs and priorities that matter to San Diego, like funding for veterans homelessness and energy innovation. A bipartisan majority of Members also supported the bill, demonstrating that Congress can rise above the gridlock that has stalled important priorities.

I am glad the Senate restored funding to renewable energy programs, like the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy and the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program, which were initially cut by House Republicans. This package will boost our local economy, fund energy innovation, and support veterans, servicemembers, and their families across the country,” said Rep. Peters.

Funding and programs for the San Diego region include:

$1.82 billion for homelessness assistance programs, including,
$380 million for supportive services for veterans and families, a $40 million increase from Fiscal Year 2018.
Instructing the VA to work with nonprofits to more efficiently fund housing units for homeless veterans using HUD-VASH vouchers.
$8.62 billion for the VA’s mental health programs, including $206 million for suicide prevention outreach.
$1.1 billion for the new VA electronic health record system.
$20,000 for intern compensation for each House and Senate office over the calendar year.
$2.38 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), a $57 million increase from Fiscal Year 2018. EERE is a division of the Department of Energy that focuses on transitioning America to clean energy economy.
$366 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The Trump Administration’s budget would have eliminated this program.
$1.583 billion for military family housing, including $401 million in military construction for San Diego County.