In case you missed it, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted last week to pass an FY24 government funding bill that prevents a costly government shutdown.

In the FY24 government funding bill, Dr. Cuellar championed provisions that will lower the cost of child care, expand access to affordable health care, and support working families by helping them get ahead.

"Last week's government funding bill is a major win for working families," said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. "I am proud to have fought for provisions that will help Texans with the high cost of living while expanding access to affordable, accessible healthcare. I am especially pleased that we were able to add over $1 billion for programs to increase access to high-quality child care for hardworking parents across the country. These investments will make a meaningful difference in people's lives and help all South Texans get ahead."

Specifically, Dr. Cuellar championed provisions that will:

• Increase access to child care for children of adults in registered apprenticeship programs
• Provide $8.75 billion, an increase of $725 million for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which provides support for children and their families for child care that will prepare children to succeed in school
• Provide $12.3 billion, an increase of$275 million for the Head Start Program, which supports children's growth from birth to age 5 through services centered around early learning and development, health, and family well-being
• Provide $364.6 million, an increase of $12.2 million for Rural Health Programs, which provide funding for rural hospitals, developing the rural healthcare workforce, and opioid response programs.
• Provide $1.86 billion for Community Health Centers, which provides crucial federal funding for local health clinics like Gateway Health and the Atascosa Health Center
• Provide $4.03 billion, an increase of$25 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides assistance to working families with high heating and cooling bills

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