Washington, DC – Seven provisions written or co-written by Congressman William J. Jefferson (D-La.) and other Gulf Coast Members are included in the “U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health and Iraq Accountability Act of 2007”, which is set to be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow. The Appropriations Committee approved the following provisions in its final mark-up. 

The provisions are as follows:

$4.3 billion for FEMA disaster recovery grants.  In this provision, the federal government assumes full payment of the grants, and state and local match funds for these grants are waived.  This provision was a direct request of Congressman Jefferson.  

$25 million for Small business Administration disaster loans.  This provision was a direct request of Congressman Jefferson.

$30 million for higher education assistance. This was another provision proposed by Congressman Jefferson on behalf of Southern University and Dillard University.

Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) extension to September 30, 2010- before the final supplemental bill is passed.  SSBG funding provides financing for programs for mental health, child welfare and drug addictions.  This is another provision directly requested by Congressman Jefferson.

$30 million for Kindergarten through 12th grade education recruitment assistance.
(Proposed by Congressman Jefferson and other Gulf Coast Members.)

$1.3 billion for east and west bank levee protection and coastal restoration system in New Orleans and surrounding parishes.  This was proposed by Congressman Jefferson and Gulf Coast Members.

Community Disaster Loan Forgiveness.  This provision includes language similar to that in the Hurricane Katrina and Rita Federal Match Relief Act of 2007, which was introduced by Majority Whip James Clyburn. Congressman Jefferson and Gulf Coast Members proposed this particular provision for the supplemental.