WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, secured funding for key federal agencies in the fiscal year 2019 Senate’s Financial Services and General Government bill, which passed the Senate Appropriations Committee today with bipartisan support.

“I’m pleased that this bill funds some of the key federal agencies, which vigorously protect markets and consumers from unscrupulous practices and harmful products.  This bill also supports our community banks and provides investment in small business, strengthening our economy by protecting all Americans,” said Senator Coons. “I am also pleased that the bill includes a well-deserved 1.9% pay raise for civilian federal employees.” 

Pay raise for civilian federal employees 

The bill includes a 1.9% pay adjustment (cost-of-living adjustment) for civilian federal employees.

Support for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

The bill includes a total of approximately $416 million for anti-drug programs, which is $400,000 more than the fiscal year 2018 level and $386 million more than the president’s budget request.  The Senate bill rejects the President’s proposed move of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) and Drug-Free Communities (DFC) programs from ONDCP to other agencies.  The HIDTA program is funded at $280 million, the same level as fiscal year 2018.  The DFC program is funded at $99 million, the same level as fiscal year 2018.  

Support for Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation 

The bill includes $1 million to continue the support for exceptional college students who wish to pursue careers in public service.

Support for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)

The bill provides $250 million for the CDFI Fund to promote economic and community development in low-income communities, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $236 million more than the president’s budget request. Delaware CDFI’s like First State Community Loan Foundation, WEDCO, and DCDC are some of the most important sources of capital for minority, women, and veteran owned early stage companies in Delaware. The CDFI program enables these Delaware organizations to help more men and women start and expand their companies in Delaware.   

Support for the Small Business Administration (SBA)

The bill includes $699 million for the SBA, which is $1 million more than fiscal year 2018. Within this amount, the bill funds SCORE at $11.5 million, and Small Business Development Centers at $130 million, which matches the funding these programs received in fiscal year 2018. The bill also increases the cap on SBA’s 7a loan program to $30 billion, which is $1 billion above the fiscal year level. With the Delaware SBA office having one of their strongest years ever, already guaranteeing $51.8 million to 139 Delaware small companies so far, this funding helps ensure that the SBA in Delaware will continue to support entrepreneurs and job growth.

Support for the Federal Judiciary

The bill includes $7.251 billion in discretionary funding for the U.S. Courts, which is $140 million more than the fiscal year 2018 level and $27 million more than the president’s budget request.  The Defender Services account is funded at a level of $1.141 billion, $62 million more than the fiscal year 2018 funding level. 

Support for General Services Administration (GSA)

The bill provides funding for the Federal Buildings Fund at a level of $9.633 billion, which is $560 million more than the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 

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