By Congressman Tom Cole
Now that the Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus spending bill has been signed into law, many Americans will benefit from the wide range of funding that supports the nation’s health, economy and military. The Department of Defense and the military will receive the largest increase in discretionary spending this year, but there are also important spending increases that are directed toward programs that are critical to protecting and serving the nation’s wellbeing, workforce and schools.
The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies portion of the bill, which I oversee, reflects values that all Americans share, and I am proud it contains key conservative priorities that are responsibly allocated. The bill allows for substantial investments in combating opioid abuse, medical research, public health, biodefense, early childhood education and job growth support, among others. It also continues the extension of pro-life provisions, including the Hyde amendment, which prohibits federal funding from being used for abortions. Additionally, the Weldon amendment provides conscience protection for doctors, nurses and others who do not wish to participate in abortions.
Of importance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), both critical medical institutions in the U.S., received substantial increases to support innovative medical research and our nation’s biodefense abilities. The NIH received $37 billion, a $3 billion increase from last year. These funds will support progress toward finding cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease research and a new initiative that will explore deeper into Down syndrome. The CDC received a $1.1 billion increase from last year, for a total of $8.3 billion. Funding within the CDC includes $1.45 billion for the Public Health Preparedness and Response programs, which will help ensure that our nation and local communities are ready to respond in the event of a bioterror attack or a pandemic disease emergency.
Additionally, the omnibus spending bill supports important early childhood and secondary education programs that many Americans rely on to receive a quality education. TRIO and GEAR-UP, both important programs aimed at helping first-generation college students prepare and enter college, received significant increases. TRIO is increased by $60 million for a total of $1.01 billion, and GEAR UP is increased by $10 million for a total of $350 million. Impact Aid, which supports dozens of school districts in Oklahoma alone, is increased by $86 million for a total of more than $1.4 billion.
Often times we do not realize the critical role that institutions like the NIH and the CDC have in protecting our nation’s health overall. They are our first line of defense against some of the most dangerous diseases and bio-threats that try to reach our shores. Education institutions and initiatives are the foundation for successful futures for the nation’s youth. Protecting worker’s rights, finding cures for cancers, combating the opioid crisis crippling our communities are just other examples among many that affect American lives every day. Each year that the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies funding bill is considered, I know that the taxpayer dollars that are put into the legislation are taxpayer dollars well spent.
