Rep. Calvert Provisions Included in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
Today, Representative Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill:
“The Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill is more than 4,000 pages long and incorporates a year’s worth of work by the Appropriations Committee as well as a host of other significant policy changes. I wholeheartedly agree that the process of crafting the bill and rush to pass it before the holidays are a terrible way to govern. The Republican-controlled House in the next Congress must do everything in its power to ensure we don’t find ourselves in a similar position next year.
Like most members of Congress, there are portions of the omnibus appropriations bill that I support and portions that I oppose. While I weigh how I will cast my vote on final passage of the bill, I wanted to highlight provisions that I supported and fought to have included in the bill.”
Omnibus Appropriations Bill Provisions Included at Rep. Calvert’s Request:
DEFENSE
Thanks to Rep. Calvert’s leadership, the omnibus appropriations bill includes increased funding for the Defense Department’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program. Rep. Calvert led the effort to establish APFIT in the Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Appropriations bill. The FY2023 bill increases APFIT funding by $50 million, bringing the program’s total funding to $150 million.
“Ensuring American warfighters have a technological edge is a critical component of our national security,” said Rep. Calvert. “The APFIT program is designed to eliminate avoidable delays in fielding the latest technology. With these resources in place, we can put cutting edge tools and resources in the hands of our men and women in uniform. As we confront evolving threats, from China and other adversaries, it is essential that American innovation is not bogged down by a burdensome bureaucracy.”
TRANSPORTATION
The bill includes funding for the following transportation projects in the 42nd Congressional District:
- $2 million for the Magnolia Avenue Improvements Project in Corona
- $1.6 million for the Limonite Gap Pedestrian Bridge Project in Eastvale
- $2.6 million for the I–215 and Keller Road Interchange Project in Murrieta
- $4 million for the Scott Road/Bundy Canyon Road Improvements Project in Menifee
- $3 million for the I–15 Express Lanes Southern Extension Project in Temescal Valley
- $2 million for the Auto Center Drive Bridge Improvements Project in Lake Elsinore
- $2 million for the Ontario Avenue/I–15 Multimodal Corridor Enhancements Project in Corona
"The significant funding I have been able to secure for Riverside County transportation projects will benefit residents by improving our local roads and highways," said Rep. Calvert. "Our region continues to experience growth and the traffic congestion challenges that coincide with that growth. We must continue to invest in projects that expand capacity and provide solutions to these challenges in both the short and long term. I'm thankful for the work our cities and regional transportation agencies have put in to prepare these projects that are poised to receive federal funding."
HEALTH CARE
The bill includes $2 million for facilities and equipment at the Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta. The requested funding would be used to purchase new equipment by Loma Linda University Medical Center for its Murrieta location.
"The funding to facilitate the expansion of inpatient care at Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta is critical to ensure the growing region of southwest Riverside County has access to medical care," said Rep. Calvert. "I'm thankful for the leadership, foresight, and investments being made in our region by the Loma Linda University Medical Center to support healthy families in our community."
The bill also includes $575,000 for the Corona Valley Community Clinic Equipment Acquisition project, which was requested by nonprofit Neighborhood Healthcare – a Federally Qualified Health Center. The requested funding would be used to purchase equipment for a new community-based primary care health clinic in Corona. Neighborhood Healthcare offers over ten unique medical services, including primary, prenatal, behavioral health, women's health, and more.
"I am thrilled to be able to support the launch of Corona Valley Community Clinic by securing funding to help equip its new community-based primary care health clinic," said Rep. Calvert. "Corona families will see new, expanded health care options thanks to this new facility and investments here in our community."
HOMELESS
The bill also includes $800,000 for the Norco Temporary Homeless Housing and Outreach project, which was requested by the City of Norco. The requested funding would be used to expand homelessness services.
"Addressing California's homeless crisis is a challenge facing virtually every city in our state, and I am happy to support the efforts of the City of Norco to provide solutions," said Rep. Calvert. "The funding being provided to Norco will enable them to build off the work that has already been accomplished to provide housing services as well as clean up homeless encampments."
PUBLIC SAFETY
The bill included $515,000 for the Rapid DNA project, which was requested by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The funding would be used to procure Forensic Rapid DNA technology.
"The funding I was able to secure will allow the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to acquire breakthrough Rapid DNA technology that will enable them to more quickly process DNA samples," said Rep. Calvert. "With this tool in place, the Sheriff's Department will be able to bring criminals to justice more expeditiously. I appreciate Sheriff Chad Bianco and his team for working on this important project that will allow them to better serve the people of Riverside County."
"The Riverside County Sheriff's Department appreciates Congressman Ken Calvert's support for our Rapid DNA project," said Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. "This equipment is a huge asset for our department. It will single-handedly improve the quality and timeliness of our Coroner forensic services by drastically reducing processing time to identify victim remains from months down to hours. This funding will help reduce the backlog of unidentified decedents in the County and bring closure to families."
VETERANS
The bill also includes $3 million for the Military Articulation Platform Expansion project, which was requested by the Riverside Community College District. The requested funding would be used to expand services and college credit opportunities for veterans.
"I am proud to support and work with RCCD to expand its Military Articulation Platform project, which helps Veterans and students advance their educational and career goals," said Rep. Calvert. "RCCD has done extraordinary work supporting veterans and helping them take what they have learned in service to our nation and translating that knowledge into a promising career."
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
The bill includes $2.5 million for the Quail Valley Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project, which was requested by the Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD). The requested funding would be used for the development of publicly owned sewer connections for the Quail Valley residential community, which currently relies on failing septic systems.
"The Quail-Valley-Septic to Sewer Conversion Project is a vital effort to improve both the health of the immediate community as well as the environmental impacts throughout the watershed," said Rep. Calvert. "I'm grateful for the work done by EMWD to put this project forward. Together, I know we continue to make progress on this important issue which impacts Menifee, Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore."
The bill also includes $3 million for the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant, which was requested by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. The requested funding would be used for upgrades to the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant.
"By improving the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant we can improve our local water supplies and reduce PFAS contamination in our water system," said Rep. Calvert. "As California finds itself once gain in a period of prolonged drought it's essential for our water districts to maximize local water supplies. I'm thankful for Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District's work on this project and efforts to ensure residents have access to safe, high quality, and affordable water."
The bill also includes $8.5 million for the Murrieta Creek Flood Control Project, which was requested by the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The construction will be carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The requested funding would be used to initiate construction on Phase 2B of the Murrieta Creek project. The cities of Temecula and Murrieta are partners in the project and supported the funding request.
"The funding for the Murrieta Creek project will allow us to continue with the important work that remains in providing flood protection to the communities of Temecula and Murrieta," said Rep. Calvert. "We have made significant progress on the project to-date and by funding additional phases we can ensure our local communities' needs are met."
The bill also includes $50 million for the Prado Dam Dam Safety Project. The funding was included in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers budget request and supported by Rep. Calvert to construct the Prado Dam Safety Modification Project, improvements that were identified in a recently completed Dam Safety Modification Study.
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