WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) helped the House pass a federal spending package that boosts investment in areas critical to San Diego. The comprehensive package includes four appropriations bills that set funding levels for programs and projects during Fiscal Year 2021 in state and foreign operations, agriculture, interior and environmental efforts, rural development, military construction and veterans affairs.

“With today’s vote, the House funded programs and priorities that matter to San Diego. We secured more than $281 million for San Diego-based military and veteran construction projects, and boosted funding for two issues I have fought for since coming to Congress: veterans’ federal homelessness assistance and mental health care,” said Rep. Peters.

“We also secured $25 million for U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) to address the Tijuana River sewage spills and improve public health and the environment,” Rep. Peters continued. “This money, in addition to the $300 million authorized last year through the USMCA, and the $55 million we were able to appropriate in previous fiscal years, will help fix the trans-border crisis that has plagued our coastal communities for decades. I refuse to let up the pressure until we find definite solutions to end these toxic spills.”

Other highlights from the first FY 2021 spending bill include:

State and Foreign Operations

• $9 billion for international security programs
• $7.8 billion for humanitarian assistance
• $2.5 billion for the Global Health Program

Agriculture and Rural Development

• $5.75 billion for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and $68 billion for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• $167 million for watershed and flood prevention

Interior and Environment

• $2.35 billion in additional wildfire suppression
• $1.6 billion for Multinational Species Conservation Fund
• $9.4 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• $4 million for water projects under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act

Veterans Affairs (VA) Construction

• $10.3 billion for veteran mental health care, including $313 million for suicide prevention outreach
• $1.9 billion for veteran homeless assistance programs
• $3.2 billion to reduce the VA’s disability claims backlog
• $21.26 million for San Diego’s Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) center and Seismic Building
• $56 million to expand Miramar Cemetery

Military Construction

• $105.5 million for Camp Pendleton construction projects
• $98 million for San Diego Naval Base Pier 8 replacement

Another spending package is expected to pass the House next week, which will include seven appropriations bills allocating funding for science, energy and water development, commerce, justice, defense, homeland security, labor, education, health and human services, financial services, transportation, and housing and urban development.