Congresswoman Simon Votes Against Defense Spending Package, Celebrates Increased Funding for NIH and Extensions of Key Health Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement after voting NO on H.R. 7146, Consolidated Appropriations Act.
“Families in my district and across the country are struggling to afford health care, student loans, housing, and transportation needs. Our nation’s investments should be in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their age, can access affordable health care, live in safe, affordable homes, and go to school without the burden of student debt –- not in furthering forever wars in service of one man’s demands.
“I commend Democratic Appropriators for their work on advancing a bill that includes funding for many important priorities held by working families including essential public health, education, transportation, and housing programs that families rely upon. However, the vast majority of this bill is taxpayer money for more weapons and more war. I cannot support legislation that sends more than $840 billion to the Pentagon, an unaccountable agency that hasn’t passed an audit in its history, which is why I voted against this legislation.”
H.R. 7146 increased funding for the National Institutes of Health by over $400 million which will protect critical research at university and medical centers in CA-12 and across the country. The legislation also extends Medicare telehealth coverage and priority review vouchers at the Food and Drug Administration for companies who successfully developed therapeutics for pediatric rare disease and critical funding for community health centers my constituents rely on.
In 2024, California’s 12th Congressional District received $332 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health. In particular, the University of California, Berkeley received 345 awards (totaling $158 million) last year, accounting for nearly half of this funding.
This week Congresswoman Simon also voted against the appropriations bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Her statement can be found here.
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