House Passes Funding Bill Prioritizing Fighting EtO and Climate Change, local projects, per Schneider Requests

WASHINGTON– Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4502, appropriations legislation to fund a wide variety of federal agencies in Fiscal Year 2022. Several of Congressman Brad Schneider's district-focused priorities for Illinois were included in the package to be funded, including programs to fight Ethylene Oxide (EtO) pollution and climate change.

"Today's funding bills lead the way in protecting our environment, with critical priorities for Illinois' Tenth District, including requiring that the EPA step up its work on EtO and fighting the public health impacts of climate change," said Schneider. "As we emerge from the pandemic, with this week's appropriations legislation, Congress is investing in the American people: creating good-paying jobs for all, growing the economy, and supporting small businesses."

The package included language requested by the bipartisan Congressional EtO Task Force, co-chaired by Rep. Schneider, urging $10 million in funding for EtO ambient air monitoring and asking the EPA to better engage with impacted communities.

The package included $110 million for the CDC's Climate Health program to support public health departments address the many climate-driven public health issues; Rep. Schneider had previously led the charge in increasing support for this program.

The bill also included Schneider's requested community project funding for Wolf Road sidewalk, the College of Lake County's workforce development project, Lake County's Health Department Behavioral Health Center addition, the Northern Illinois Food Bank's new food distribution center, the Park Street closure and enhancement project, and the Waukegan Carnegie Library revitalization project.