{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-secures-funding-important-lowcountry-priorities-bipartisan", "Cunningham Secures Funding for Important Lowcountry Priorities in Bipartisan Appropriations Bills", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "Joe Cunningham", "C001122", "cunningham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan legislation funds LWCF, the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, and important projects on Parris Island and Joint Base Charleston\nWashington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham voted today to pass H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158, bipartisan appropriations bills that would fully fund the government for fiscal year 2020 and prevent a government shutdown.\nCunningham secured more than $70 million for important Lowcountry military priorities, including $37.2 million to modernize an outdated live-fire training range on Parris Island and $33.3 million towards constructing a new Medical Consolidated and Distribution Center on Joint Base Charleston.\nCunningham led the charge in obtaining the highest level of funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) since 2004, though he continues to push for this program's funding to be made permanent and mandatory. Cunningham also played a key role in securing the $138 million needed to fully fund the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. The Port of Charleston is a critical driver of economic development in the Lowcountry and across South Carolina. This project will ensure the Port reaches its full potential.\nRep. Cunningham also secured:\n $50 million in funding for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which would improve community infrastructure surrounding military installations.\n\tA $53 million increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health to conduct research onAlzheimer's disease.\n\t$10 million in funding for cyber security institutions at senior military colleges, including the Citadel.\n\tAn amendment that would prioritize USAID's efforts to combat illegal fishing abroad, which undercuts Lowcountry fishermen who work hard and play by the rules.\n Supporting our Lowcountry military installations through smart, strategic investments is one of my top priorities in Congress. I'm proud to stand behind a funding bill that recognizes the importance the Lowcountry plays in ensuring our national defense, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. This bipartisan funding package invests in critical Lowcountry priorities, averts another disastrous government shutdown, and fully funds the government for the rest of the fiscal year  instead of relying on more short-term resolutions.\nCunningham introduced the Funding Deadline Enforcement Act in November, which would prevent further government shutdowns by forcing Congress to do its job instead of relying on temporary budget extensions.\nThe appropriations bills also:\n Invest in the safety of our communities, with $25 million for federal research at the CDC and NIH into our nation's gun violence epidemic. This is the first federal funding of this nature in 20 years.\n\tExpand access to opportunity and education for rural communities, with more than $640 million to strengthen rural broadband.\n\tHonor our responsibilities to veterans, providing $80 billion for VA medical care, including funding for homelessness assistance, suicide prevention and outreach, and gender-specific care.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-secures-funding-important-lowcountry-priorities-bipartisan"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9648639243096113, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}