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Congressman Mike Garcia, (R-Santa Clarita) secured the allocation of funds to support programs for community advancement in the areas of science, health priorities, law enforcement and commerce, among others.

Among other issues, the funding is meant to be used to help prevent wildfires, support workforce readiness programs and support law enforcement within California’s 25th District, including the Santa Clarita Valley.

Announced Friday, the funding for the 25th Congressional district is included in the FY2022 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill, and the FY2022 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill, according to Garcia’s office.

“I am pleased to have secured the allocation of funds for these crucial innovative advancements needed within our community. This funding addresses the grave threat of wildfires, the need for advancing our nation’s space exploration, enhancing school security and supports the resources our local law enforcement need. I will continue to advocate for the safety and success of California’s 25th District as well as continuing to ensure that taxpayer dollars are appropriately spent,” Garcia said.

Garcia secured funds for the following Commerce, Justice and Science requests:

- $140M for the STOP School Violence Act grant program which improves school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to and help prevent acts of violence.
- $125M for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
- $85.2M to fund the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), which has made significant recent scientific discoveries, including detecting helium hydride in interstellar space. The funding is equal to the FY2021 level.
- $15M to fully support fire weather initiatives across NOAA, which would help predict and respond to wildfires through satellite and artificial intelligence assets.
- $1M to fully fund the City of Simi Valley Police Department’s radio replacement.
- $500K to prevent the crashing of NOAA’s wildfire information website, which provides valuable information to first responders including CALFIRE.

The FY2022 Commerce, Science and Justice bill has been referred to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote.

In addition, Garcia also secured funds for Labor, Health and Human Services requests:

- $1.2M for City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Screening Mobile Van. This funding would support the purchase of a state-of-the-art mobile cancer screening unit to provide cancer screening services to the Antelope Valley.
- $1M for College of the Canyons Advanced Technology Center Equipment. This funding would support the purchase of equipment for a state-of-art CNC production lab to prepare students for workforce readiness.
- $610K for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Sheila R. Veloz Center for Breast Health Equipment Initiative in Santa Clarita. This funding would support the purchase of state-of-the-art Mammography Machine to improve health outcomes and address health disparities.
- $550K for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Laboratory Equipment. This funding would support the purchase of state-of-the-art Flow-Cytometer, equipment, software and an expanded capacity for the laboratory at CHLA.

“I am pleased to have secured the allocation of funds for crucial medical research and equipment needs that would improve the quality of health care for Californians, as well as funds to improve workforce readiness and language to prevent PUA fraud,” Garcia said. “I am committed to assisting my constituents with their needs, while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are allocated properly.”

Garcia also secured language in the bill that would urge the Department of Labor to provide proper safeguards for PUA fraud prevention tools and procedures and directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on existing deficiencies in the Administration of Unemployment Compensation.

Garcia recently cosponsored the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud Protection Act, or H.R. 4190, which would require states to recover fraudulent benefit payments, prevent future fraud and support the victims of unemployment benefit fraud and identity theft, according to representatives for Garcia.

The bill also includes funding to establish the Advanced Projects Research Agency for Health (ARPA–H), which would invest in large high-risk, high-reward research projects that have the potential to achieve breakthroughs in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).