Young Votes for Military Pay Raises, Pell Grants, Opioid Funding and Other Indiana Priorities in Appropriations Package

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today voted for several Indiana priorities in the Defense/Labor-HHS-Education minibus, which passed the Senate on a 93-7 vote. This package funds the government through December 7, 2018, avoiding a government shutdown, and includes increased funding for military pay raises, Pell Grants, and efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, among other Indiana priorities. 

“A fundamental responsibility of the federal government is to protect Americans as we confront serious and growing national security threats. That’s why I am especially pleased Congress has passed a timely and robust appropriations package that will help restore American military superiority and give our service members the resources they need to accomplish their missions and return home safely. Our service members put their lives on the line for our security and freedom, and the pay raise in this bill for our troops is the least we can do for them and their families,” said Senator Young. “Additionally, increased funding for Pell Grants is important for tackling college affordability, and support for critical health care programs that combat the opioid epidemic and investment in Alzheimer’s disease research will lead to healthier and stronger communities in Indiana and across the country.”  

Highlights in the appropriations package include: 

Defense: 

• The package includes $143 billion for military pay and a 2.6 percent annual pay raise for all troops.
• This is the first time since 2008 that the Department of Defense has not operated under a CR for a portion of the fiscal year.

Health Care: 

• The package includes $39.1 billion, an increase of $2 billion, for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Alzheimer’s disease research receives a $425 million increase with funding totaling $2.3 billion.
• Funding for NIH research to address the opioid problem is maintained at $500 million.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) receives an increase of $584 million, with total funding reaching $5.7 billion. Specifically, $3.8 billion in funding is provided to target the opioid problem, an increase of $206 million above last fiscal year.
• The State Opioid Response grant receives $1.5 billion. The funds are intended to help states address the opioid problem and target the regions that are impacted the hardest.
• $50 million increase for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
• Language included by Senator Young and Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) to improve child abuse reporting to each state’s appropriate law enforcement or child welfare agency.

Education: 

• Funding is provided for year-round Pell Grants and the maximum discretionary Pell award is increased by $100.
• This increase, combined with the current maximum mandatory Pell award, brings the total maximum Pell Grant an eligible student could receive in the 2019-20 academic year to $6,195.

Labor/Workforce:

• Overall, this package makes smart adjustments to Department of Labor funding while including $3.5 billion for Training and Employment Service programs and $160 million for apprenticeship programs.
• Funding for the Veterans Employment and Training Service programs is included at $300 million, an increase of $5 million from last year.