WASHINGTON - The House Appropriations Committee today released the draft fiscal year 2020 Financial Services and General Government funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee on Monday, June 3. The legislation provides annual funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Judiciary, the Executive Office of the President, and other independent agencies, including the Small Business Administration.
In total, the draft bill includes $24.55 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $1.4 billion over the 2019 enacted level and $355.5 million over the President’s 2020 budget request. In addition, the bill includes $400 million under a discretionary program integrity cap adjustment for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to fund new and continuing investments to expand and improve the effectiveness of the IRS’s overall tax enforcement program.
The FSGG bill supports a broad range of functions and services in both the Executive and Judicial branches that are essential to the operation of the Federal Government. In addition, the FSGG bill supports programs that assist and protect the public, such as shielding consumers from defective and dangerous products, assisting small businesses, investing in distressed communities, and ensuring the integrity of Federal elections. The draft bill includes significant funding increases to support these critical functions.
In addition, the bill includes a provision to increase Federal civilian pay by 3.1 percent in 2020.
“Americans deserve a government that will invest in the long-term protection of consumers and investors, strengthen our national security, and promote entrepreneurship here at home. This year’s FSGG funding bill takes significant steps to accomplish each of those goals," said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Chairman Mike Quigley. “From increased funding for the IRS to assist taxpayers and bolster enforcement, to supporting the SBA to help small businesses develop and expand throughout the country-this bill will make our economy stronger for everyday Americans. As a critical component of our national security, this bill also helps to fortify our election infrastructure against foreign interference by providing states with funding to replace outdated voting machines and enhance their cybersecurity defenses."
“This bill is about protecting hardworking American families and workers, who have been shortchanged by the Trump administration since day one," said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey. “The bill provides increased funding so consumers can receive safe, quality products, small businesses can access the training and resources needed to succeed, and disadvantaged communities can achieve economic growth. Additionally, the bill provides a significant increase in funding to improve election security and integrity, because our democracy belongs in the hands of American voters - not in the clutches of foreign powers."
A summary of the draft fiscal year 2020 Financial Services and General Government bill is below. The text of the bill is. The subcommittee markup will be webcast live and linked from https://appropriations.house.gov/events/markups.
Bill Summary:
Department of the Treasury - The bill provides a total of $13.56 billion in discretionary appropriations for the Department, including $400 million for IRS program integrity. This is $793.9 million above the 2019 enacted level and $484.4 million above the President’s budget request. Of this amount, the bill includes:
* $244.4 million for Departmental Offices Salaries and Expenses, $29.8 million above the 2019 enacted level and $11.6 million below the President’s budget request. Within this total, $40 million is for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an increase of $25 million, to continue to support the Department’s enhanced enforcement efforts and other costs associated with the implementation of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018.
* $167.7 million for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, an increase of $8.7 million above the 2019 enacted level.
* $124.7 million for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, an increase of $6.9 million above the 2019 enacted level, to boost efforts to combat terrorist financing and money laundering.
* $119.6 million for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, rejecting the cuts proposed in the President’s budget.
* $300 million for Community Development Financial Institutions, an increase of $50 million above the 2019 enacted level and a rejection of the proposal in the President’s budget to eliminate the program entirely. The total amount includes first-time funding of $10 million for an initiative to increase the availability and affordability of small-dollar loans.
* $234.4 million for Inspectors General offices for the Treasury Department, rejecting the irresponsible four percent cut proposed in the President’s budget. Such a reduction would inhibit much needed oversight of Departmental policies and practices.
* Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - The bill includes $12 billion for the IRS, an increase of $697.4 million above the 2019 enacted level and $166 million above the President’s request. Of this amount, the bill includes:
* $2.6 billion, an increase of $67 million, for Taxpayer Services. This total includes growth of at least eight percent for all three grant programs: Tax Counseling for the Elderly, Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics, and Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.
* $5.2 billion, an increase of $297 million, for Enforcement.
* $4 billion, an increase of $270 million, for Operations Support.
* $290 million, an increase of $140 million, for Business Systems Modernization.
The bill also eliminates a provision blocking the IRS from issuing guidance related to political activity of 501(c)(4) organizations.
Executive Office of the President - The bill includes a total of $741.8 million, an increase of $2.9 million above the 2019 enacted level and $411.4 million above the President’s budget request.
* White House - The bill matches the requested funding level for White House Offices, Executive Residence, and Repairs and Alterations. The bill also creates a new appropriation, as requested, for the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.
* Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) - The bill rejects the Administration’s proposed transfer or elimination of ONDCP grant programs and includes:
** $300 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, an increase of $20 million above 2019; and
** $100.5 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program, an increase of $500,000 above the 2019 enacted level.
The Judiciary - The bill includes a total of $7.51 billion in discretionary appropriations, an increase of $258.3 million above the 2019 enacted level.
* Defender Services: $1.23 billion, an increase of $84 million above the 2019 enacted level, to support operations and expenses associated with panel attorney compensation.
* Court Security: $641 million, an increase of $34 million above the 2019 enacted level, to support security needs and protective services in courthouses, as identified by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Additionally, the bill extends temporary judgeships in several districts.
District of Columbia - The bill includes a total of $741.3 million, an increase of $15.6 million above the 2019 enacted level and $24.7 million above the President’s budget request.
* $40 million for D.C. Resident Tuition Support, reversing the elimination of the program proposed by the Administration.
* $5 million, an increase of $2 million, for HIV/AIDS Testing and Treatment to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia.
* $8 million, equal to the 2019 level, to fund infrastructure improvements for the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority.
In addition, the bill removes objectionable policy riders previously carried that intrude on home rule in the District of Columbia:
* Eliminates a ban on the use of local funds for abortion services
* Eliminates a ban on the use of local funds to legalize marijuana
* Eliminates a ban on the use of funds for needle exchange programs
* Eliminates a provision appropriating local District funds
Independent Agencies
* Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - The bill funds the CPSC at $135.5 million, which is $8.5 million above the 2019 enacted level and the budget request. Within the total, $1.3 million is provided for Virginia Graeme Baker Pool Safety grants.
* Election Assistance Commission (EAC) - The bill provides $600 million for Election Security Grants to augment state efforts to improve the security and integrity of elections for Federal office. In addition, $16.2 million is included for EAC operating expenses, an increase of $7 million above the 2019 enacted level and $4.2 million above the President’s budget request.
* Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - The bill includes $349.7 million for the FTC, which is $40 million above the 2019 enacted level, to bolster antitrust and consumer protection work.
* General Services Administration Federal Buildings Fund (FBF) -- The bill includes $9.1 billion in spending authority for the FBF. The total funding level includes:
** $85 million for the Calexico, CA Land Port of Entry,
** $248 million for the San Luis, AZ Land Port of Entry,
** $848.9 million for Basic and Major Repairs, an increase of $185.7 million (20 percent) above the 2019 enacted level.
* National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) - The bill provides $354.7 for NARA operating expenses, which is $9.1 million above the request. Of this amount, $4.1 million is provided for implementation of the Civil Rights Cold Case Record Collections Act of 2018. In addition, the bill includes $7 million for the National Historical Publications & Records Commission Grants Program.
* Office of Personnel Management (OPM) -The bill includes $339 million, an increase of $43.4 million, for OPM. The bill rejects the Administration’s proposed merger of OPM with GSA.
* Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - The bill includes $1.85 billion, an increase of $175 million, for SEC salaries and expenses. Language is included to direct the additional funds specifically to augment SEC’s enforcement, compliance, market oversight, and investor education and advocacy activities.
* Small Business Administration (SBA) - The bill provides a total of $995.8 million for SBA, $280.4 million above the 2019 enacted level and $228.7 million above the President’s budget request. Of this amount, the bill includes $281.8 million, an increase of $34 million, for Entrepreneurial Development Programs, including:
** $150 million for Small Business Development Centers
** $35 million for Microloan Technical Assistance
** $20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program
** $30 million for Women’s Business Centers
In addition, the bill increases the authorized levels for SBA’s Business Loans Programs and supports a level of $30.5 billion for the 7(a) loan program and $8 billion for the 504/Certified Development Company program.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
