The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a partial funding bill with amendments from Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) that would support key programs for Orange County families. Five amendments led by Porter would increase funds for reducing the sexual assault kit backlog, qualifying volunteer advocates for child survivors of abuse and neglect, fighting veteran homelessness, helping veterans in crisis, and building clean vehicle infrastructure.

“Protecting women and children, doing right by our veterans, and investing in clean technology innovation—these are all key priorities I’ve heard about from Orange County families,” Congresswoman Porter said. “If something is important to the people of the 45^th District, it is important to me. I will always fight for legislation in Washington to be consistent with our Orange County values.”

H.R. 3055, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020, includes the following Porter amendments and Porter-backed amendments that increase funding for:

• The sexual assault kit backlog program, cutting into the hundreds of thousands of sexual assault kits (also known as rape kits) sitting untested
• A program that recruits and trains volunteers who advocate on behalf of child survivors of abuse, neglect, and abandonment in courtrooms and other settings
• The VA’s homeless assistance programs that provide long-term case management, supportive services, and permanent housing support
• The HUD-VASH Program, which provides rental assistance for homeless veterans
• The Veterans Crisis Line, which veterans in crisis can call for help from a trained individual
• Installation of electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure on our national highways

Another Porter-backed amendment would forbid the funds to be used for oil and gas leasing off the California coast.

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