1/22/2014
Congress Revives National Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Last week, Congress restored funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. The bipartisan 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which funds the federal government through September 30, 2014, includes $15 million for the CDC program.
“The six-fold increase in funding for CDC’s lead poisoning prevention efforts is especially remarkable and will benefit millions of children across the country. Much appreciation and gratitude goes to our advocates and allies in the House and Senate,” said Rebecca Morley, executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH).
Advocates credit the leadership of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations’ Subcommittee Chairman and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), as well as Appropriations leaders in the U.S. House on both sides of the aisle, who increased investment in the program even under the most difficult budget circumstances.
“This is a smart investment in the health and development of our children and it is crucial that this funding be restored over the long term,” said Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “We have the know-how to prevent lead poisoning and I am pleased that Congress acted to enable state and local officials to respond to existing and emerging lead poisoning risks in our communities.”
Read the full press release.