Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Historic Funding for Caribbean in FY22 State and Foreign Operations Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, applauded the passage of H.R. 4373, The State, Foreign, Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.
The bill provides $105 million in funding for the Caribbean – a 25% increase over last year’s enacted amount and $10 million specifically for new projects to promote inclusive economic growth.
“The islands of the Caribbean represent America’s third border and I am proud that we share a vibrant cultural, social and economic bond,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Thirteen million Americans—over four percent of the US population—trace their heritage to the Caribbean. It’s crucial that we reestablish our partnership with countries in the Caribbean and invest in the economic growth and development of our neighbors to the south.”
A portion of the $105 million in funding will go to support the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a landmark arrangement that allows the US government to partner with Caribbean countries on shared security challenges like transnational crime. The bill further includes $10 million for new projects in the Caribbean to promote inclusive economic growth.
Congresswoman Lee has been a long-time advocate for the Caribbean and is a member of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus. She led the charge in 2005 to officially name June as Caribbean Heritage Month.
For a full summary of the bill, click here.