Congresswoman Plaskett's Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Funding Package With Provisions for the Virgin Islands

Statement

Congresswoman Plaskett, a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement on House and Senate passage of H.R. 2471, government funding legislation:

"The investments in this package address some of our nation's biggest challenges while providing much-needed support to Virgin Islanders. Because of Democrats' leadership in Congress, we are investing in the Virgin Islands middle class. The bill's transformative investment will help working families with the cost of living, create American jobs, and support the vulnerable who work hard.

"I am tremendously pleased to share that the bill averts the Medicaid funding cliff in the Virgin Islands by extending the increased rate of federal funding (83%) for Medicaid in the Virgin Islands through December 13, 2022, averting a sharp decline in the rate of federal Medicaid funding to the Virgin Islands. Additionally, the bill contains the negotiated bipartisan agreement for federal government funding over the remainder of fiscal year 2022, which includes a $6.5 million increase in Department of the Interior assistance to territories.

"The legislation also contains the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, which reauthorizes programs enacted under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and includes my amendment to double the minimum amount of funding made available to the Virgin Islands (and the other small U.S. territories) under the Sexual Assault Services Program and the Transitional Housing Assistance Program. These programs are essential for the protection and support of women who have been assaulted and/or abused and need to rebuild their lives.

"In addition, I and my team worked hard to secure funding for all of the House-approved community projects requested for the Virgin Islands, including:

$659,000 to purchase forensic equipment for use by the Virgin Islands Department of Justice Medical Examiner's Office on St. Croix
$960,000 for the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority to improve residential wastewater collection sewers across the territory
$750,000 for improvements to the DPNR marine enforcement pier at Krum Bay on St. Thomas
$750,000 for improvements to the DPNR marine enforcement pier at Gallows Bay on St. Croix
$1,120,000 for the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority to improve wastewater treatment facilities across the territory
$1,200,000 for the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority to improve municipal water security infrastructure across the territory:
"I am very pleased to have secured the Community Project Funding, along with the Medicaid match and VAWA funding in this bill. These funds will ensure that we are able to respond to some of the most pressing needs in our territory. These investments support underserved areas and foster economic development, making a real difference in the lives of so many in our community."

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