Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2021 Labor-HHS-Education Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2021 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill on a vote of 30 to 22. The legislation includes funding for programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and other related agencies, including the Social Security Administration.

For fiscal year 2021, the bill includes $196.5 billion in overall funding, an increase of $2.4 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $20.8 billion above the President’s 2021 budget request after accounting for offsets and adjustments.

In addition, to rebuild this nation’s aged public health infrastructure, the bill provides $24.425 billion in emergency spending. This funding will support State and local public health departments, public health laboratories, and global health activities, which is critical to national resilience from this and future public health threats. The bill also includes contingency funding to help States meet unanticipated unemployment insurance workloads.

“This spending bill determines the critical federal investments in health, labor, human services, and education, and builds on this subcommittee’s efforts at the center of the health and economic crises, both of which have exposed serious disparities,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro. “This legislation builds upon our previous emergency and supplemental response packages and represents our critical work to defeat the coronavirus, not surrender to it. From Early Head Start to Social Security, these programs touch individuals and families throughout their lifespan. With this bill, we help our constituents access new cures, new treatments, new research, and new protections to help them and their families live healthier lives. The programs in which we are investing create opportunities and allow America to realize its values and promise. We must work together to deliver the people in this country to the dawn of recovery, not abandon them to an economic collapse.”

“The FY 2021 Labor-HHS bill rejects President Trump’s proposed budget cuts and instead increases investments in important priorities that support working families, improve health security, and build a stronger future for all Americans,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. “Critically, the bill would strengthen our response to coronavirus and the accompanying economic crisis through robust funding for state and local public health departments and public laboratories, and for the accelerated development and production of vaccines and therapeutics. With this bill, we empower families and communities by making investments to keep up with America’s health care, education, and workforce needs, so every person has a better chance at a better life.”

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:

Rep. DeLauro – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

Rep. Pocan – The amendment directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create guidelines for employer-sponsored health plans to submit annual public compliance reports related to coverage of mental and behavioral health services. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill, prior to adoption of amendments in full committee, is here. The bill report is here.

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