Press Releases

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) urged the House of Representatives Wednesday to approve the comprehensive 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which includes funding for projects critical to Colorado’s Second Congressional District.

“This bill boosts essential education, healthcare, and renewable energy programs which, even in these tough economic times, we cannot afford to let fall behind,” said Polis.  “By cutting funding for unproductive and outdated initiatives, this bill promotes efficiency and echoes President Obama’s call for fiscal responsibility last night.”  

The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act includes 9 annual appropriations bills that were not completed during the 110th Congress.

Video and text of Jared’s floor speech are available on his website. 

Examples of projects in Colorado’s Second Congressional District that will benefit from funding under the Omnibus Appropriations Bill include:

Education
•    $7.1 billion nationally to support Head Start programs to ensure that low–income children have access to high quality preschool services (4 Head Start programs are located in Congressional District 2)

Healthcare
•    $2.2 billion for Community Health Centers to help Americans access preventative and emergency medical services (8 Community Health Centers are located in Congressional District 2)

Science and Technology
•    $394 million for NOAA climate research
•    $819 million for NIST to promote American scientific competitiveness

Public Lands and Infrastructure
•    $3 million for the US Forest Service and Arapahoe National Forest
•    $1.27 million for the Rocky Mountain National Park
•    $12 million for the Bureau of Reclamation and the Big Thompson Project

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
•    $64 million for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden