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I was pleased to join a huge bipartisan majority in the U.S. House to pass an omnibus spending package that will fund the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year 2017 (September 30).The $1.1 trillion bill passed by a vote of 309-118.Included within that funding bill is money for several top priorities of the Congressional Black Caucus and progressive Democrats and high-priority projects that will help St. Louis and other urban areas.

Despite the irresponsible demands of the Republican majority, Democrats prevailed in many funding fights and we defeated efforts to fund President Trumps border wall.

Federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which delivers cancer screening and well-woman services to over 3 million low-income patients each year, was preserved.

In St. Louis, the spending bill will also guarantee production of 17 new FA-18 Super Hornets this year.That remarkable aircraft, which is a high priority for the U.S. Navy, is built by 5,000 highly skilled union machinists at Boeing in Hazelwood.

Democrats also won continued funding for cost-sharing reduction payments to health insurers that help offset costs for low-income consumers who are covered under the Affordable Care Act.

And despite President Trumps misguided attempt to slash funding for vital medical research, the National Institutes of Health will receive a major $2 billion increase in federal funding that will be targeted towards research for conditions that African Americans and other minorities suffer from disproportionately. Chronic and deadly illnesses like cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, kidney failure and Alzheimers disease. Each year, I am pleased to support almost half a billion dollars in NIH-funded research at Washington University School of Medicine and Saint Louis University School of Medicine as they seek life-saving cures and create thousands of STEM jobs in our region.

The spending package also provides an additional $600 million for fighting the epidemic of opioid addiction.

I also worked closely with House Appropriators to provide an additional $1 million within the Commerce, Justice and Science line items to specifically fund upgraded and enhanced police sensitivity training for local law enforcement.

The bill also preserves funding for Pell grants and restores year-round use of those funds for low-income college students.

Each year the Congressional Black Caucus and progressive Democrats target key spending priorities that we fight for in the overall funding bill.This year, we were successful beyond our best expectations.

Some of those key federal investments include: $22.6 million for the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; $68 million for the Second Chance Act,; $100 million to upgrade municipal water system in Flint, Michigan; $4 million in competitive grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities; $73 million for Promise Neighborhoods; $1.7 billion for Office of Job Corps; $95 million in apprenticeship grants; $25 million for reintegration of ex-offenders in high-crime, high-poverty areas; $715 million for Community Service Block Grants; $244 million for Strengthening HBCUs; $7.5 million for Strengthening HBCUs Masters Programs; $9 million for Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions; $291,033 for in-school GED training for young people with occupational training in St. Louis County; $3,225,991 for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; $485,940 for weatherization program for low-income Missouri seniors; $3 billion for Community Development Block Grants; $137.5 million for Choice Neighborhood Program.

This federal spending agreement invests in urban communities by funding vital human services; restoring distressed neighborhoods; making college possible for low-income and minority students; growing jobs by investing in STEM and infrastructure projects; and making real investments in transforming local law enforcement and our criminal justice system.

This spending package is a victory for the Congressional Black Caucus and for all of us who continue to fight for jobs, education, healthcare, housing and equal justice for all, instead of just for some.

U.S. Rep.Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) represents Missouris 1st Congressional District.

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Omnibus Spending Bill has wins for progressives - St. Louis American