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Napolitano Secures Millions in Federal Funding for Whittier Narrows Dam, Water Recycling, Youth ChalleNGe & Mental Health

July 31, 2020

(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-El Monte) voted for H.R. 7617, the FY2021 Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development "Minibus" appropriations package, in which she secured hundreds of millions of federal dollars for Whittier Narrows Dam, water recycling projects, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, and life-saving mental health services.

"I am thrilled the bill we passed today includes the full amounts I requested for so many critical projects to San Gabriel Valley and Southern California families, agencies, and businesses," Napolitano said. "It funds the Whittier Narrows Dam safety project to completion and boosts investment in vital water recycling projects in the West as we combat drought and climate change. It builds on the tremendous success of the Youth ChalleNGe Program, providing additional funds to help so many more of our forgotten youth and their families. Our bill prioritizes the expansion of life-saving mental health services as we address the crisis unfolding in our communities and strive to ensure help to all those in need. I thank Chairs Nita Lowey, Marcy Kaptur, and all of the other appropriators for working with me and recognizing the importance of funding these programs."

H.R. 7617 passed by a vote of 217 to 197 and will now go to the Senate for consideration. It included funding for the following priorities Napolitano requested for her district and the Southern California region:

  • Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Project – $384,900,000
  • Water Recycling and WaterSmart - $123,600,000
  • Groundwater Treatment and Remediation Activities - $15,000,000
  • National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program - $210,000,000
  • Community Mental Health Services Block Grant - $757,571,000
  • Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Expansion Grants - $225,000,000
  • National Institutes of Health - $46,959,000,000
  • Loan Repayment Program for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Workforce - $17,000,000

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