New Federal Spending Bill Has Money For Caldwell: NJ Congressman

CALDWELL, NJ — A new federal spending package contains some money for Caldwell, according to U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr.

A flurry of activity took place last weekend on the federal spending front, with the House, Senate and President Joe Biden greenlighting a $1.2 trillion bipartisan package – and averting a potential government shutdown in the process.

The legislation includes funds for the U.S. departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, State and the legislative branch, CNN reported.

The measure did not include funding for mostly military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan or Israel, which are included in a different bill that the Republican-led House of Representatives has ignored, Reuters reported.

According to Payne – who voted in its favor in the House – the spending package includes $48.6 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $18.4 billion for local schools, $14.2 billion to increase educational opportunities for Americans with disabilities, $12.3 billion for the Head Start program, $10.6 billion to fund TSA workers and new airport security equipment, $8.7 billion for Childcare and Development Block Grants, and $174 million to increase mental health services in the nation’s schools.

It also includes an earmark for the Borough of Caldwell, the congressman added:

• $203,588 for Caldwell to expand the Emergency Operations Center in the Caldwell Fire Headquarters

“We must keep the government running and this bill would fund critical, federal projects nationwide,” said Payne, an Essex County resident. “I was extremely proud to continue to secure local community development funding in this bill to support district projects.”

New Jersey's 10th Congressional District includes the following municipalities:

• Essex County – Caldwell, East Orange, Essex Fells, Irvington, Montclair (part), Newark (part), Orange, Verona, West Orange
• Hudson County – Jersey City (part)
• Union County – Cranford, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden (part), Roselle, Roselle Park, Union Township

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