Chairwoman Lowey Statement at Full Committee Markup of FY 2021 Financial Services and General Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Committee's markup of the fiscal year 2021 Financial Services and General Government bill:

I congratulate Chairman Quigley and Ranking Member Graves for the bill before us, and I thank the staff for their hard work.

Before I begin, I’d like to thank Ranking Member Graves for his contributions to this Committee. While we have not always agreed on everything, our work is better for having had your insights, including on cybersecurity, which the bill before us reflects. I wish you and your family happiness and good health.   

Turning to the bill before us today, the Financial Services and General Government bill directly impacts hardworking families, workers, and small businesses, many of whom were already struggling before the pandemic and are now facing serious hardship.

The Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Services bill would increase investments in distressed communities, enhance taxpayer services, and provide more resources to help small businesses weather the storm and succeed, including more than $37 billion in lending authority, plus funding increases for Entrepreneurial Development Programs such as Women’s Business Centers. 

The bill also includes $500 million for election security grants to improve the integrity and security of our elections, because our democracy belongs in the hands of American voters.

The bill also includes strong emergency funding to expand broadband to unserved communities, bringing connectivity across our nation that is vital as we continue to work and learn from home during the pandemic.

Beyond funding, this bill includes important provisions on worker protections and would make DACA recipients eligible for Federal employment.

It would also prohibit the use of funds from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund for the President’s border wall.

Until we can enact H.R. 51 and enact statehood for the District of Columbia, this bill does the next best thing by respecting D.C. autonomy and allowing local leaders to make their own decisions about local funds, including respecting a woman’s right to choose.

In closing, I again thank Chairman Quigley and Ranking Member Graves, the subcommittee staff led by Matt Smith, as well as my Congressional office staffer, Fae Rabin, for their hard work and contributions.

I would now like to recognize Ranking Member Granger for her opening remarks.

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