Congressman Henry Cuellar voted in support of H.R. 3170, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010, which protects consumers, strengthens financial oversight institutions and invests in community small business programs. The bill also includes $150,000, secured by Congressman Cuellar, for Laredo Community College to develop a small business center to serve South Texas.

“I’m pleased to help Laredo Community College create this small business center as a way to support the small business workforce in our region,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This will give our students the resources they need at the local level to be competitive in the global market.”

The Advanced Technology Center (ATC) will be a multi-use business center at Laredo Community College, aimed to support and encourage students to enter the small business workforce. ATC will also support workforce education in petrochemical, bio-medical, light manufacturing and computer science programs, and will provide the community with a multi-use space for a variety of economic and business development meetings. H.R. 3170 includes $110 million for small business development centers nationwide to provide counseling and technology training to small businesses.

“When we invest in our small businesses, we invest in our communities,” said Congressman Cuellar. “And by supporting small businesses we preserve that entrepreneurial spirit that’s unique to America.”

H.R. 3170 passed the House Thursday by a vote of 219-208 and includes $8.5 billion to support the General Services Administration Federal Buildings Fund which oversees the nation’s land ports of entry, including several along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Our land ports of entry are vital to national security and invigorate our nation’s trade,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Thousands of trucks come through Laredo everyday and we have infrastructure needs that need to be addressed. I’m pleased to see this funding modernize all of our land ports of entry and ensure the essential flow of commerce and trade.”

The Financial Services Appropriations Bill supports a wide-range of efforts to promote business development, protect American consumers and communities nationwide. The bill supports the Office of National Drug Control Policy and provides $248 million to help federal, state and local law enforcement combat drug-trafficking in high-intensity areas. It also includes $98 million in grants for local community-based coalitions who work to reduce youth drug abuse, and $103 million to safeguard the nation’s financial system against drug traffickers, money launderers, terrorism financiers and other criminals.

In recognizing the challenging economic situation, Congressman Cuellar added a cost-savings amendment to H.R. 3170 which prohibits government agencies, funded by the bill, from purchasing first-class travel arrangements unless certain exemptions apply under law.

“There has never been a more important time to cut costs and reduce waste,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Americans are cutting back in all aspects of their lives and first-class travel must take a backseat.”

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111th Congress.  Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.