WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) voted for the FY2022 omnibus appropriations agreement, a $1.5 trillion package that will fund the entire U.S. government and provide aid to Ukraine. The omnibus package, which passed the House and Senate this week, notably included $5,329,000 in federal funding for community projects that Rep. Raskin championed. 

“I am thrilled that this historic legislation, which includes over $5.3 million in funding for investments across Maryland’s Eighth District, is now on its way to the president’s desk,” said Rep. Raskin. “These projects will make a substantial difference in Montgomery, Frederick and Carroll Counties. I’m thrilled that our local government and nonprofit partners will be able to use these funds to improve job opportunities, create new mental health resources, revitalize our infrastructure and make our communities safer. From the depths of a devasting pandemic and a global recession, Marylanders continue to repair and rebuild with the rest of America. Our nation is totally on the comeback trail.”

Rep. Raskin championed and secured funding for 10 projects that will directly benefit residents in Maryland’s Eighth District. These include:

• $1,000,000 for Clean Water Montgomery’s Watershed Enhancement Project. This funding will improve water quality for Montgomery County residents and advance watershed restoration by increasing tree canopy through reforestation, individual shade tree plantings and green infrastructure such as rain gardens and porous pavement to help mitigate stormwater pollution;
• $850,000 for the Frederick County government to create a Crisis Stabilization Center (CSC) and promote integrated, community-based behavioral health care. The proposed CSC will provide a viable alternative to costly emergency services and hospital care for people who are in crisis;
• $370,000 for The Hill YMCA in Westminster for safety and accessibility facility updates. The Hill Y provides critical health and wellness services, offers school enrichment and academic programs and supports the health and wellbeing of children, families and seniors throughout Carroll County. This funding will support accessibility and safety renovations to the Hill Y’s facilities and locker rooms, including the addition of private dressing areas for special needs members/participants. This project will improve handicap pool access and replace the existing unsafe tile pool deck surface with a more functional material that meets current safety standards;
• $500,000 for Long Branch Stream Valley pedestrian bridge replacements and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements. This project will update three existing pedestrian bridges along the Long Branch Stream Valley, located in one of Montgomery County’s Equity Focus Areas (EFA). The new bridges will incorporate modern ADA accessibility, drainage improvements and enhancements for community safety and interconnection of neighborhoods;
• $250,000 for a Mobile Career Center in Frederick County. The proposed Center will expand and extend Frederick County’s existing workforce services to those who are challenged with inadequate access to technology and/or transportation, providing them with computers, internet access and a regular presence in areas of the county unable to engage in virtual services and those with transportation barriers;
• $300,000 for The Greater Washington Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA) to meet the needs of any and all clients experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. JCADA works to empower survivors of domestic abuse and ensure safer communities through clinical services, victim advocacy and direct legal services as well as educational programming for youth, parents, educators and other professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, JCADA has seen a substantial increase in demand for its services;
• $80,000 for Community Bridges (CB) Girls Program, which provides academic support, tutoring, mentoring, college and career prep and food services to girls and their families living at or below the federal poverty level in Montgomery County. This funding will ensure that CB can continue to provide food and other wrap-around services;
• $250,000 for the Muslim Community Center Medical Clinic, which provides compassionate and high-quality health care to uninsured and underinsured Marylanders, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or national origin. The funding will allow MCC to meet increased spacing and service demands by expanding the current building structure and clinic space by adding mobile trailers;
• $1,429,000 for the Carroll County Sheriff's Office to support the purchase of body-worn cameras and in-car cameras, to promote public safety and enhance transparency of law enforcement interactions with the public; and
• $300,000 for the Downtown Silver Spring Place-Based Economic Revitalization and Workforce Development Initiative, which will help strengthen the economy for one of the district’s critical business centers, and partner with Montgomery College-Silver Spring on training and apprenticeship opportunities for careers in climate industries and support craft food and beverage manufacturing.

For more information on the appropriations package, view this release from the House Appropriations Committee.

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