Press Release
Rep. Cuellar Combats Poverty through FY19 Appropriations BillSets Aside Over $1 Billion for Counties with 20% of Residents in Poverty
Washington | Olya Voytovich, DC Press Secretary (202-226-1583); Leslie Martinez, District Press Secretary (956-286-6007),
April 12, 2019
WASHINGTON— Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that he secured crucial funding and language in the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill to help combat poverty. His provisions also help house homeless veterans on the border, support residents of rural areas, and provide much needed assistance to colonias.
“There are communities in my district where hard-working families struggle to make ends meet, including some rural areas and colonias,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Despite the challenges of poverty, these communities have amazing people who deserve a fair shot to fulfill their potential. This legislation will make sure federal resources are targeted in the right way, so all of my constituents have more opportunities to succeed.”
The poverty-fighting provisions that Congressman Cuellar fought to get into the appropriations bill include:
The bill also maintains funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) at $3.36 billion. The CDBG program allocates annual grants cities and counties to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, principally for low-and moderate-income persons. President Trump has threatened to eliminate this program.
In previous years, local areas within the Texas 28th District have received up to the following amounts of CDBG money for projects:
The bill also included many other key legislative accomplishments for Congressman Cuellar, including support for education, clean drinking water, Rio Grande Valley citrus growers, and good governance.
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