Congress Approves Funding for Hurricane Relief, Pandemic Influenza
By Michael Green, USCM Intern
January 16, 2006
On Dec 31, 2005 President Bush signed H.R 2863, the “Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006.” While mainly a defense bill, it also contains $29 billion to support relief and reconstruction efforts related to the recent hurricanes, and $3.79 billion in new funds for avian flu protection. $23.4 billion of the funds are fully offset by reallocations from previously-passed hurricane relief bills. The other offsets are from a one percent across-the-board cut in FY06 discretionary spending ($8.5 billion), and other rescissions ($1 billion). Veterans affairs funding and combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are exempt from the across-the-board cut.
The highlights of the reallocation are as follows:
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Provides $14.74 billion for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development.
$11.50 billion is for Community Development Block Grants for relief and mitigation activities including housing assistance, infrastructure development, and assistance to public services.
$2.75 billion for the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program.
$390.3 million for Public and Indian Housing.
Energy and Water
Provides $2.9 billion for the Department of Energy and the Army Corps of Engineers.
This funding will be used for flood control and the complete the authorized levee project around New Orleans.
Labor, Health and Human Service, and Education
Provides $1.6 billion for the Department of Education.
This funding is to assist displaced students, rebuild and restart operations of schools in the disaster area.
Justice
Provides $125 million for state and local law enforcement agencies.
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
Provides for $3.79 billion for pandemic influenza.
Including $3.30 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services. Of this funding, $2.75 billion is for vaccines, anti-virals, and any other countermeasures that HHS determines are necessary.
Provides $350 million to aid State and local public health departments plan and exercise their key roles during a pandemic.
Provides $150 million is provided for international and domestic surveillance.
Provides $50 million is included for CDC lab capabilities and research.
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