WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee today approved a FY2019 funding bill that continues investments in critical medical research, opioid abuse prevention and treatment, and education.

The FY2019 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill contains $179.3 billion, an increase of $2.2 billion above the FY2018 level, in base discretionary funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies.

In addition, the bill includes $711 million pursuant to the 21st Century Cures Act.  Full committee consideration of the bill is scheduled for Thursday.

“This bill prioritizes resources for programs that benefit our economy and impact the lives of every American,” said U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), chairman of the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee. “I’m proud we were able to provide the fourth consecutive funding increase for the National Institutes of Health, which will pave the way for new medical breakthroughs and lower health care costs over the long term. The bill increases funding for opioid treatment and prevention programs, giving states the flexibility to fund programs that are the most effective for their unique needs. The bill provides funding for education programs to support students at every point in their academic career, from helping hardworking families afford high-quality early childcare, to investing in STEM education, to making college more affordable. Finally, this measure helps ensure we have the workforce we need to compete in a 21st Century global economy.

“Working together in a bipartisan way, our subcommittee has concentrated funding on programs that address some of the biggest challenges facing our nation. I urge my colleagues to support this measure when it comes before the full committee,” he said.