Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee released their appropriations bills on Capitol Hill. While these levels were released by Democrats only, it is a step-forward in advancing the FY22 appropriations bills. Ridge Policy Group was pleased to see several major wins for which we have been advocating on behalf of our clients.
This has been a year-long effort, requiring a comprehensive government relations strategy. We have met with decision makers, supported public affairs efforts, worked with state and local governments to garner support, partnered with trade groups, and more. This funding will ultimately lead to funding opportunities through federal grants.
Support for United States’ Economic Development Activities
- More than $395 million for EDA, which is $49 million more than last year. EDA has been a key agency in our financial and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
- $5 million for a STEM Apprenticeship Program at the Economic Development Administration. Our partner, the University City Science Center, received funding from EDA’s STEM Apprenticeship Pilot Program, known as the EDA STEM Talent Challenge. The Science Center will expand the Building an Understanding of Lab Basics (BULB) program to provide a mix of virtual and on-the-job training to prepare Philadelphia residents for biotech careers. The Science Center, along with us as their government affairs consulting firm, are one of the only groups advocating for this important funding.
- $50 million for the Build to Scale Program at EDA, a $12 million increase. This is the same as the House bill, which is a positive sign for this level of funding being included in the final package.
Support for Small Businesses
- $10 million for the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program at the Small Business Administration (SBA).
- $10 million for the Regional Innovation Clusters at SBA.
- $10 million of the Growth Accelerator Program at SBA.
Each of the above funding levels are the same as the House bill, which our lobbying shop believes is a good indication of it being included in the final package, though negotiations are ongoing.
Brain Injury Related Funding
- $1 million for the CDC Concussion Surveillance program (new funding); and
- $13,321,000 for the TBI State Grant Program, which is about a $2 million increase.
- $100,000 increase for the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center [NDSC].
Funding to Prevent Future Pandemics
- $715 million, an increase of $20 million over fiscal year 2021, for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement Program to ensure state and local public health departments have the tools to quickly detect, monitor, and respond to emerging health threats and emergencies.
- The bill includes nearly $3 billion for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an increase of $498 million over fiscal year 2021 and $25 million above the President’s budget request.
- $2.4 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
- $770 million for BioShield
- $823 million, an increase of $226 million over fiscal year 2021 and consistent with the President’s budget request, for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
- $905 million, an increase of $200 million over fiscal year 2021, for the Strategic National Stockpile
These are just some of the examples of the legislative wins that our top lobbying firm secured in partnership with our clients. The best lobbying firms in DC know that it takes many touch points for a bill to pass. We look forward to continuing our government affairs consulting work to ensure that these provisions are maintained and included in a final package signed into law.
Ridge Policy Group is a top lobbying firm in Washington, DC, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They have an expertise in the appropriations process, providing funding and language to support clients’ goals.
