On November 20, Congress approved an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 4818) that contained nine of the thirteen remaining spending bills. On the same day, both the House and Senate approved a continuing resolution (H. J. Res. 114) to keep government programs operating through December 3. Despite final approval, during its consideration of the conference report, the Senate stripped a provision that would have allowed the Appropriations chairs and their staff to review individuals’ tax returns.
The House approved that correction, 381-0, on December 6, sending the final measure to the White House.
The House approved, 344-51, the conference report for the FY2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 4818) on November 20. The Senate approved the measure later that day by a vote of 65-30. The final bill incorporates the following nine spending bills that were still pending when Congress recessed for the 2004 election: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs; Department of Interior and Related Agencies; Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies; Legislative Branch; Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies; and Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies.
Prior to the lame duck session, only four of the thirteen spending bills had been enacted into law: Department of Defense (P.L. 108-287), Military Construction (P.L. 108-324), Department of Homeland Security (P.L. 108-334), and District of Columbia (P.L. 108-335).
The following is a summary of funding levels specific to programs affecting women and their families. For more detailed summaries of funding levels and report language, please refer to previous issues of The Source: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/16/04, 9/18/04); Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/9/04, 9/18/04); Department of Defense (see The Source, 7/23/04); District of Columbia (see The Source, 10/8/04); Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs (see The Source, 7/16/04, 9/18/04); Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 9/10/04, 9/18/04); Military Construction (see The Source, 10/13/04); Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies (see The Source, 7/23/04, 9/24/04); and Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies (see The Source, 7/23/04, 9/24/04).
Department of Defense Appropriations P.L. 108-287
The final bill provides $416.2 billion for the Department of Defense in FY2005, a $48 billion increase over FY2004, but $1.6 billion below the administration’s request.
Afghanistan and Iraq: As requested by the administration, the measure provides $25 billion to partially cover the projected costs of continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sudan: The bill provides $95 million for humanitarian assistance in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Cancer Research: The final bill allocates $150 million for the Army’s Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program and $10 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program. Both breast cancer research and ovarian cancer research are level-funded. The measure also provides $1 million for the Comprehensive Bioactive Products Program for Breast Cancer, $1 million for targeted nano-therapeutics for advanced breast and prostate cancer, $1.3 million for advances in breast cancer care therapy, $1.1 million for computer-aided detection and diagnostics for breast cancer, and $2.5 million for the biomedical research imaging core related to bone marrow transplantation, and breast and prostate cancer.
Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program: The measure provides $50 million for a Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program. According to the conference report, projects under the program could include diabetes research, lupus, osteoporosis and related bone diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma.
Gynecologic Disease Program: The bill provides $4.3 million for the Gynecologic Disease Program, $50,000 more than FY2004. The measure also provides $3 million in FY2005 for the Gynecological Cancer Center.
Comprehensive Reproductive System Care Program: Under the bill, the Comprehensive Reproductive System Care Program receives $15 million, $1.4 million more than FY2004.
Women’s Health: The measure provides $1.3 million for the Air Force Environmental and Occupational Factors in Women’s Health Program, $1.5 million for genetic cancer research in women, $1 million for the Maternal-Fetal Health Informatics and Outreach Program, and $200,000 for the Military-Civilian Education and Sexual Health Decision-Making Program. None of these programs were funded in FY2004.
HIV/AIDS: The final bill provides $14.14 million for military HIV/AIDS research, $2.86 million less than FY2004 and $7.5 million above the administration’s request. Funding for global HIV/AIDS prevention receives $7.5 million in FY2005, $3.25 million above the FY2004 level. In addition, the conference report states that no less than $4.25 million “shall be available for HIV prevention educational activities undertaken in connection with U.S. military training, exercises, and humanitarian assistance activities conducted primarily in African nations.”
Family Advocacy Program: The measure provides $17 million for the Family Advocacy Program, $5 million less than FY2004. The measure also provides $1.8 million for the Department of Defense Office of Victims Advocate.
Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation: Under the bill, $1 million is allocated for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, an increase of $500,000 above the FY2004 level.
District of Columbia Appropriations P.L. 108-335
The final bill allocates $560 million for the District of Columbia in FY2005, a $15 million increase over FY2004, but $300,000 below the administration’s request.
D.C. Courts: The bill provides $190.8 million for the operation of the D.C. courts, $23 million above the FY2004 level, but $37.2 million below the administration’s request. The total includes funding for the Family Court.
School Choice: The measure provides $14 million for private school vouchers, $13 million for the improvement of public schools, and $13 million for charter schools. In FY2004, Congress provided $13 million for all three categories.
Family Literacy Program: Under the bill, $1 million is allocated for the Family Literacy Program, $1 million less than FY2004. President Bush did not request funding for the program.
Foster Care: The measure provides $5 million for improvements to the District’s foster care system, $9 million below the FY2004 level. The administration’s budget request did not include funding for this purpose.
Military Construction Appropriations P.L. 108-324
The final bill allocates $10 billion in FY2005 for military construction, a $687 million increase over FY2004, and $450 million above the administration’s request. The measure also provides $14.5 billion in emergency supplemental funding for disaster-relief activities related to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne.
Military Family Housing: Under the measure, $4 billion is provided for military family housing, of which $1.5 billion is allocated for new family housing units and improvements to existing units, and $2 billion is for the operation and maintenance of existing units. Congress allocated $3.9 billion in FY2004 for military family housing.
FY2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act H.R. 4818
The final FY2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act includes a .8 percent across-the-board cut in discretionary spending. The funding levels reported in this summary do not reflect that cut.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Programs Appropriations
The final bill allocates $16.96 billion in FY2005, a $123 million increase over FY2004 and $393 million more than the administration’s request.
H.R. 4818 includes House-passed language that prohibits the Food and Drug Administration from using federal funds to restrict to prescription use a contraceptive that is determined to be safe and effective for over-the-counter use.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): The bill provides $5.3 billion for WIC, $666 million more than FY2004 and $190 million more than the administration’s request. The recommended funding level for WIC includes $15 million for the continuation of the breastfeeding peer counselor program. The conference report does not include a $5 million set-aside for childhood obesity.
Child Nutrition Programs: Child nutrition programs receive $11.8 billion in FY2005, a $365 million increase above the FY2004 level and $406 million more than the administration’s request. Of the total amount, $6.8 billion is provided for the School Lunch Program, $1.9 billion for the School Breakfast Program, and $2 billion for the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The measure allocates $1.46 billion for the FDA in FY2005, $76 million more than FY2004 but $33 million below the administration’s request. The Office of Women’s Health at the FDA receives $4 million, $350,000 more than FY2004 and $325,000 above the administration’s request.
Food Stamp Program: The Food Stamp Program is funded at $35.2 billion, a $4.2 billion increase above the FY2004 level and $1.5 billion above the administration’s request. Food for Peace: Under the bill, the Food for Peace Program is level-funded at $1.18 billion, $2.5 million less than the President’s request. In addition, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program receives $87.5 million in FY2005, an increase of $37.5 million above FY2004 and $12.5 million above the administration’s request.
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations
The final bill provides $40 billion in FY2005, $2.4 billion more than FY2004 and $400 million above the administration’s request.
Department of Justice
Under the bill, the Department of Justice receives $20.6 billion in FY2005, $975 million above the FY2004 level and $804 million above the administration’s request. The measure maintains current law prohibiting the use of federal funds to pay for abortions for female inmates except in cases of rape or if the life of the pregnant woman is endangered. The Bureau of Prisons is required to provide escort services for female inmates seeking abortion services outside a federal facility.
Federal Prison System (FPS): The conference report directs the FPS to continue its efforts to provide training and technical support to the corrections system to eliminate staff sexual misconduct with inmates and to report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by March 31, 2005, on any progress.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance: The final measure consolidates the Byrne Grant Program and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant into the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants program, as requested by the administration and enacted by Congress. The Byrne Memorial program receives $634 million, $125 million more than the administration’s request.
Boys and Girls Clubs: H.R. 4818 includes $85 million for the Boys and Girls Clubs, a $5 million increase above the FY2004 level and $25 million more than the administration’s request.
Missing Children Program: The Missing Children program receives $46.9 million in FY2005, a $10.9 million increase over FY2004 and $11.6 million above the administration’s request. The total includes $13.5 million for the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, $23.9 million for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and $5 million for the AMBER Alert program.
Hate Crimes: Hate crimes training and technical assistance for state and local law enforcement is funded at $1 million, the same amount requested by the administration and a slight increase over FY2004.
Violence Against Women Act: Programs under the Violence Against Women Act are allocated $387 million in FY2005, $2 million more than administration’s request but $1 million less than the amount allocated in FY2004. VAWA programs would receive the following:
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The conferees “understand that Native American and Native Alaskan women experience a high rate of violence compared to any other group in the United States. The conferees are concerned that these individuals lack a comprehensive community response to address their needs in breaking the cycle of violence. The conferees believe a liaison office would be an effective resource for these communities to identify and address their needs in order to develop a community response for the elimination of domestic violence.”
DNA Analysis Initiative: H.R. 4818 provides $110 million for state and local crime laboratories to reduce and eventually eliminate backlogs of DNA casework samples. The amount is $10 million more than FY2004 and $126 million less than the administration’s request.
Prison Rape: The measure provides $37 million for implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-79), $30 million more than the administration’s request and roughly equal to the amount appropriated in FY2004. Of that amount, $15 million is for the collection of statistics and research, $1 million is for a national clearinghouse, and $20 million is for grants to states to protect inmates and safeguard communities.
Trafficking: The bill level-funds programs to assist victims of trafficking at $10 million. The administration did not request funding for this program.
Safe Schools Initiative: Under the bill, $4.3 million would be provided “for programs aimed at preventing violence in public schools, and to support the assignment of officers to work in collaboration with schools and community-based organizations to address the threat of terrorism, crime, disorder, gangs, and drug activities.” Congress allocated $4.6 million for the initiative in FY2004.
Juvenile Justice Programs: H.R. 4818 provides $384 million for Juvenile Justice programs in FY2005, an $8.6 million increase above FY2004 and $139.5 million more than the administration’s request. The total includes $15 million for the Victims of Child Abuse Act, $2 million more than FY2004.
Internet Safety: The conference report includes language directing the Office of Juvenile Justice to submit a report on federally funded Internet safety programs. “The conferees strongly support programs that provide various services and resources to protect children from being vulnerable to on-line predators. The conferees understand there are a multitude of arenas where parents, law enforcement personnel, school personnel and after-school programs can obtain information about Internet safety.”
State Department
Under the bill, the State Department would be funded at $8.8 billion in FY2005, $700 million more than FY2004, but $100 million below the administration’s request. The bill also provides $500,000 for the Council of Women World Leaders.
Related Agencies
Legal Services Corporation: The LSC receives $335 million in FY2005, a $4 million decrease below the FY2004 level and $3.7 million above the administration’s request.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: The measure appropriates $331 million for the EEOC, $3 million less than FY2004 and $20 million below the administration’s request.
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is level-funded at $9.1 million, as requested by the President.
Small Business Administration (SBA): The bill provides $580 million for the Small Business Administration (SBA) in FY2005, $138 million below the FY2004 level and $118.4 million less than the administration’s request. Both the National Women’s Business Council and Women’s Business Centers are level-funded at $750,000 and $12 million, respectively.
H.R. 4818 also includes a two-year reauthorization of the SBA and its programs.
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
The final bill provides $19.8 billion in FY2005, a $2.3 billion increase over FY2004, but $1.6 billion below the administration’s request.
Child Survival and Health Programs Fund: The bill appropriates $1.55 billion for the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund, a decrease of $250 million from FY2004 and $130 million more than the administration’s request. Of that amount, $345 million is provided for child survival and maternal health programs.
HIV/AIDS: Under the measure, $2.3 billion is provided for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, a $690 million increase over FY2004 and $99.3 million more than the administration’s request. Of that amount, $1.39 billion is for the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative, $337.8 million is for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and $350 million is for HIV/AIDS programs with the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund. Also, not less than $27 million is made available for a U.S. contribution to UNAIDS.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): H.R. 4818 allocates $1.46 billion in development assistance for USAID. Last year, Congress funded development assistance at $1.4 billion. Of the total amount, $300 million is for basic education and $15 million is to improve women’s leadership capacity in developing countries. The conferees also urge USAID to make funds available for programs in sub-Saharan Africa to address sexual and gender-based violence.
Microbicides: H.R. 4818 provides $30 million for microbicide research and development, $8 million more than FY2004. The conferees recommend up to $2 million for the International Partnership for Microbicides.
Obstetric Fistula: The conferees urge USAID to increase its support for obstetric fistula prevention and repair.
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): The bill provides $1.5 billion for the MCC, an $850 million increase over last year, but $1 billion less than the administration’s request.
International Family Planning: International family planning programs receive $441 million in FY2005, $12 million more than FY2004 and $16 million more than the administration’s request. The final bill maintains current law prohibiting nongovernmental organizations that use their own funds to provide abortion services or lobby foreign governments from receiving U.S. funds.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): The bill provides $34 million for UNFPA in FY2005, the same amount appropriated in FY2004. However, the FY2004 funding was not released. Instead, that money was reprogrammed for other family planning and maternal health activities. The final measure mandates the reprogramming of $12.5 million in FY2004 funds for anti-trafficking programs and requires the reprogramming of FY2005 funds for family planning and maternal health activities in the event the money is not released to UNFPA.
UNIFEM: UNIFEM is provided $2 million in FY2005, and the UNIFEM Trust Fund receives $1 million.
Afghanistan: The measure provides no less than $504 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Afghanistan, a $99 million increase over FY2004. Of this amount, $50 million “should be made available to support programs that directly address the needs of Afghan women and girls.” Not less than $7.5 million should be made available “for small grants to improve the capacity of women-led Afghan nongovernmental organizations.”
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
H.R. 4818 provides $143.09 billion for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, nearly a 3 percent increase over FY2004.
Department of Labor
The final bill does not include House- and Senate-passed language prohibiting the use of funds to implement a new overtime regulation that went into effect on July 14, 2004.
Dislocated Workers Assistance: Dislocated workers assistance received $1.2 billion in FY2005, $17.9 million more than FY2004 and $96.4 million more than the administration’s request.
International Labor Affairs: The Bureau of International Labor Affairs is provided $94 million in FY2005, $15.86 million less than FY2004 but $63.45 million more than the administration’s request. Of that amount, $45 million is for the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labor and $34 million is for bilateral assistance to improve access to basic education in international areas with high rates of abusive and exploitative child labor. Additionally, $2 million is provided for the ILO to implement a program to confront HIV/AIDS in the workplace. “The primary purpose of this program shall be to promote workplace policies which combat HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and promote prevention on the basis of tripartite partnerships among workers, employers and governments around the world.”
Women’s Bureau: The Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau receives $9.55 million in FY2005, about $353,000 more than FY2004 but the same amount requested by the administration.
Department of Health and Human Services
The final bill includes House-passed language prohibiting state and local governments from utilizing funds in the bill to discriminate against a health care provider that does not provide, pay for, or refer abortion services.
Community Health Centers: Community Health Centers receive $1.75 billion, a $131 million increase over FY2004 and $87.5 million less than the administration’s request.
Maternal and Child Health Block Grant: The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant is level-funded at $729.8 million, the same amount requested by the administration.
Healthy Start: The Healthy Start infant mortality initiative receives a $5.6 million increase to $103.38 million in FY2005, the same amount requested by the administration.
Ryan White CARE Act: The Ryan White CARE Act is provided a $45 million increase to $2.08 billion in FY2005. The administration requested a $10 million increase.
Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank: H.R. 4818 provides level funding of $9.94 million for the National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank.
Family Planning: Title X is provided a $10 million increase in FY2005 to $288 million, the same amount requested by the administration.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC is provided a $166.75 million increase to $4.53 billion, $320.36 million more than the administration’s request.
HIV/AIDS, STD, and TB Prevention: H.R. 4818 provides $968.94 million for HIV/AIDS, STD, and TB prevention activities at the CDC. That amount is approximately $331 million less than the amount appropriated in FY2004 and $171 million less than the administration’s request. “The conference agreement provides a $2.42 million increase to expand the infertility prevention program to provide screening and testing technologies for STDs and HIV, as well as other women’s health services.”
Chronic Disease and Health Promotion:Chronic disease and health promotion programs at the CDC receive $907.16 million in FY2005, $8 million less than the administration’s request and $48 million more than FY2004. Of that amount, $312.36 million is for cancer control and prevention activities, a $18.5 million increase; $45 million is for heart disease and stroke, a $3.37 million increase; $64 million is for diabetes activities, a $4 million increase; $105.24 million is for tobacco activities, the same amount as FY2004; $42.29 million is for nutrition/physical activity, a $3 million increase; $57.2 million is for school health, the same amount as FY2004; $45.12 million is for safe motherhood/infant health, the same amount as FY2004; $59.3 million is for the childhood obesity prevention program VERB; and $57 million is for Steps to a Healthier U.S., a $5.74 million increase.
Report language encourages the “CDC to examine its current activities focused on children and develop options for expanding work related to promoting better nutrition and healthy eating among children.”
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program receives a $9 million increase to $219.9 million in FY2005. The administration requested $220 million.
Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cancer prevention and control activities at the CDC are provided a $100,000 increase to $5 million in FY2005.
Birth Defects, Developmental Disabilities, and Disability: H.R. 4818 provides $125.64 million for these activities at the CDC. That represents a $12.1 million increase over FY2004 and the administration’s request.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): The NIH receives an $849 million increase to $28.51 billion, $62 million less than the administration’s request.
Mental Health Block Grant: As requested by the administration, the Mental Health Block Grant at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is provided $414.26 million in FY2005, a $1.43 million increase over FY2004.
Substance Abuse Block Grant: SAMHSA’s Substance Abuse Block Grant receives a $10.1 million increase in FY2005 to $1.7 billion, $43 million less than the administration’s request.
SAMHSA: Under the bill, SAMHSA receives a $61.45 million increase to $3.3 billion in FY2005, $133.6 million less than the administration’s request. The conferees provide $10 million for fetal alcohol syndrome/fetal alcohol effect prevention and treatment programs, “with an emphasis on teenage mothers.”
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): AHRQ is provided a $15 million increase to $318.7 million in FY2005, the same amount requested by the administration.
Child Support Enforcement: H.R. 4818 provides $4.45 billion in FY2005 for payments to states for child support enforcement. This amount is $48 million more than the administration’s request and $85 million more than FY2004.
Trafficking: Under the Refugee and Entrant Assistance account, a program to aid victims of trafficking receives $10 million, the same amount requested by the administration and $91,000 more than FY2004.
Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): The bill grants the administration’s request by providing $2.1 billion to the CCDBG in FY2005, a $12 million increase over last year.
Social Services Block Grant (SSBG): The SSBG is level-funded at $1.7 billion, the same amount requested by the administration.
Head Start: Head Start receives a $123 million increase to $6.9 billion in FY2005, $45 million less than the administration’s request.
Consolidated Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs: The consolidated runaway and homeless youth programs receive a $16,000 increase to $89.45 million, the same amount requested by the administration.
Abandoned Infants Assistance: Programs to increase abandoned infants assistance are level-funded at $12 million, $34,000 less than the administration’s request.
Adoption: H.R. 4818 provides $27.3 million for adoption opportunities, the same amount requested by the administration and $240,000 more than FY2004. The measure provides $32.1 million for adoption incentives, a $24.6 million increase over last year and the same amount requested by the administration. The bill also provides $12.9 million for adoption awareness, the same amount requested by the administration and $121,000 more than FY2004.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Programs: H.R. 4818 funds several VAWA programs. The domestic violence hotline receives a $268,000 increase to $3.25 million, $250,000 more than the administration’s request. Battered women’s shelters are provided a $1 million increase to $126.65 million. The administration requested level funding.
Mentoring Children of Prisoners: As requested by the President, the bill level-funds the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program at $50 million.
Community-Based Abstinence Education: Under the bill, community-based abstinence education programs receive $104.5 million in FY2005, $29.5 million more than FY2004 but $81.5 million less than the administration’s request. Of that amount, $10 million may be used for a national abstinence education campaign.
Promoting Safe and Stable Families: As requested by the administration, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program is level-funded at $305 million.
Family Caregivers: The National Family Caregiver Support program is provided a $4.3 million increase to $157 million in FY2005, $1.4 million more than the administration’s request.
Adolescent Family Life: H.R. 4818 provides $31.23 million for the Adolescent Family Life program, $283,000 more than FY2004 and $23 million less than the administration’s request.
Public Health Service’s Office on Women’s Health (PHS-OWH): The Office on Women’s Health receives $29.1 million in FY2005, the same amount requested by the administration and $188,000 more than FY2004.
Public Health Service’s Office of Minority Health (PHS-OMH): The measure allocates $51 million to the Office of Minority Health, a $4.2 million decrease from FY2004 and $3.78 million more than the administration’s request.
Department of Education
No Child Left Behind: Grants to local educational agencies receive a $500 million increase to $12.84 billion in FY2005, $500 million less than the administration’s request.
Even Start: The Even Start program is allocated $226.91 million, a $20 million decrease from FY2004. The administration did not request funding for this program.
Reading First and Early Reading First: The bill provides $1.05 billion for the Reading First program, a $26.1 million increase above FY2004 but $75 million less than the administration’s request. The Early Reading First program receives a $10.56 million increase to $105 million, $27 million less than the administration’s request.
Teacher Quality: H.R. 4818 provides $2.94 billion for professional development programs to provide states and school districts with the tools to improve teacher quality. This amount is $10 million more than FY2004 and the administration’s request. Early Childhood Educator Professional Development is level-funded at $14.8 million, the same amount requested by the administration. Math and Science Partnerships receive $180 million, a $30.9 million increase over FY2004 but $89.1 million less than the administration’s request.
21st Century Community Learning Centers: The bill provides level funding of $999.1 million in FY2005, the same amount requested by the President.
Women’s Educational Equity Act (WEEA): H.R. 4818 level-funds the WEEA at $2.98 million. The administration did not request funding for the program.
Education for Homeless Children and Youth: This program receives a $3.35 million increase to $63 million in FY2005. The administration requested level funding.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): H.R. 4818 provides a $607 million increase for special education programs, bringing total funding to $11.77 billion in FY2005. That amount is $408 million less than the administration’s request. Of this amount, $444.36 million is provided for the Infants and Families program, and $387.7 million is provided for preschool grants.
Vocational Education: In FY2005, vocational education receives $1.34 billion, an $8.96 million increase over last year and $324.8 million more than the administration’s request.
Adult Education: The measure provides $590.13 million in FY2005, $105 million less than FY2004 and the administration’s request.
Pell Grants: The maximum Pell Grant award is level-funded at $4,050, the same amount requested by the administration.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS): Funding for the CCAMPIS program is level-funded at $16.1 million, the same amount requested by the administration.
Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies
The measure allocates $89.9 billion in FY2005, a $1 billion increase over FY2004 and the administration’s request.
The bill maintains current law requiring health plans participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) to cover prescription contraceptives if they cover other prescription drugs. Physicians and others who provide contraceptives are exempted from the requirement if they object based on religious beliefs. Religiously affiliated health plans also are exempt. Additionally, the measure prohibits abortion coverage under FEHBP, except when the life of the mother is endangered or in the case of rape or incest.
The measure also maintains current law permitting breastfeeding in a federal building or on federal property if the woman and child are authorized to be there.
Job Access and Reverse Commute Grants: H.R. 4818 level-funds job access and reverse commute grants at $125 million. The grants would not have been funded under the administration’s budget request.
Minority Business Resource Center: As requested by the administration, the Minority Business Resource Center is level-funded at $900,000 in FY2005. The center “provides assistance in obtaining short-term working capital and bonding for disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned businesses.” The center also “enables qualified businesses to obtain loans at prime interest rates for transportation-related projects.” In addition, funding for minority business outreach is level-funded at $3 million as requested by the administration.
Occupant Protection Incentive Grants: The bill level-funds the occupant protection incentive grant program at $20 million in FY2005.
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
The measure provides $93.5 billion in FY2005, a $2.7 billion increase over FY2004 and $1.4 billion more the administration’s request.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Homeless Programs: The bill provides $1.3 billion for homeless programs, approximately $33 million more than FY2004 and $18 million more than the administration’s request. Of that amount, $186 million would be provided for Shelter Plus Care renewals. In addition, $1.5 million would be provided for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The measure would not include the administration’s request of $50 million for the Samaritan Initiative. Congress has not yet approved legislation authorizing the program.
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA): The HOPWA program receives $284 million in FY2005, a $12.5 million decrease below the FY2004 level and $11 million less than the administration’s request.
The measure includes $14.9 billion for Section 8 vouchers, $697 million more than FY2004 and $1.77 billion above the administration’s request.
Youthbuild Program: The bill provides $62 million for the Youthbuild Program, $400,000 above the administration’s request. Of that amount, $9 million is for the development of programs in rural and underserved areas.
Independent Agencies
National Science Foundation: In FY2005, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is funded at $5.5 billion, $62 million below FY2004 and $1.2 billion more than the administration’s request.
