Gluesenkamp Perez Ends a Successful Appropriations Season with a Number of Policy Wins

WASHINGTON, DC – As the Appropriations Committee markups come to a close, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is proud to announce a total of 51 of her policy priorities have been included in appropriations bills. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez became a member of the Appropriations Committee at the start of the 119th Congress in January 2025. She sits on the Subcommittee on Agriculture and the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.

The Appropriations Committee is responsible for writing and amending the 12 pieces of legislation that fund the federal government. This process is critical to the function of the government and is a key oversight lever Congress can pull to make changes to governmental operations. Representatives can include provisions in either the base text of the bill or accompanying report, or in amendments, which are debated and have their inclusion in the bill voted on by the committee. This year, Rep Gluesenkamp Perez had 30 provisions included in the base text and 21 provisions in amendments adopted by the committee.

Among these 51 pieces of legislation, highlights include provisions to reduce the cost of childcare by streamlining regulations for food handling, funding and improvements for removal of invasive pinnipeds in the Columbia River, saving taxpayer dollars by creating a single House-managed Correspondence Management System, and a provision to strengthen recess in public schools. In total, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez spent approximately 86 hours voting in the Appropriations Committee on markups for all 12 funding bills.

“When I’m at the gas station or the grocery store, people aren’t shy about coming up to me when they see the federal government isn’t working for them.” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “On Appropriations, it’s my job to make sure those voices and those concerns are addressed in our funding decisions. I’m so proud of how much we’ve been able to get done for Southwest Washington this year.”

A complete list of all provisions Rep Gluesenkamp Perez introduced can be found below, listed in alphabetical order by committee:

The 30 provisions included in the base text of the bills and reports are:

1. Cranberry Markets – The Committee is concerned by the challenges specialty crop producers, specifically cranberry growers, face in accessing global markets. The Committee encourages the Secretary to investigate and eliminate these challenges on cranberry farmers competing with Canadian market preference.
   
2. Pacific Shellfish Research Unit – The Committee directs USDA ARS to maintain and fully support the Ecology Division at the Pacific Shellfish Research Unit, specifically maintaining the research ecologist position and the appropriate support staff.
   
3. Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Program – The Committee recognizes the mental health and suicide risks in rural and farm communities and the benefits of preventative care and encourages NIFA to consider peer-to-peer counseling through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Program.

4. European Green Crab – The Committee encourages APHIS to assist shellfish growers who have been impacted by the spread of European Green Crab

5. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA– HIP) – The Committee recognizes the important role of VPA–HIP in creating and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat and addressing a major barrier to hunting and fishing participation: lack of access to quality places to hunt and fish, including lakes, streams, wetlands, grasslands, forests, and agricultural land. This locally led, voluntary framework to incentivize private landowners to allow access for recreation stimulates rural economies by increasing hunting and fishing participation and enhances outdoor recreational opportunities nationwide. The Committee encourages NRCS to expedite the distribution of any funds allocated to this program and to support program continuity by issuing five-year grant awards

6. Seafood in the National School Lunch Program – The Committee appreciates the focus on seafood in the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and encourages FNS to prioritize local and regional seafood in the National School Lunch Program.

7. Accelerated FDA Reviews for Substance Use Disorder Treatments – The Committee encourages FDA to explore and, where appropriate, implement accelerated review approaches for qualifying substance use disorder treatments, including priority review, fast track designation, breakthrough therapy designation, and other expedited programs authorized under current law and available to the Commissioner. The Committee further encourages FDA to evaluate whether additional regulatory tools or administrative pathways could reduce development and review timelines for high-impact addiction treatments while maintaining rigorous standards for safety and efficacy.
   
8. Pinniped Removal – The Committee Recommendation provides $5,500,000 for Columbia River pinniped removals. The Committee reminds NOAA of the directive included in the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying Public Law 119-74 requiring the study of pinniped removal strategies, and directs the NMFS to submit its findings within 90 days of the enactment of this Act. Additionally, the Committee encourages NMFS to identify ways to increase the number of annual takes to meet the annual potential biological removal level provided in Section 120f of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and establish additional removal strategies, such as seasonal takes to align with spring Chinook and winter Steelhead runs, community partnerships, and direct kill.
   
9. Mitchell Act Hatcheries – The recommendation provides $28,000,000 for the operation and maintenance of Mitchell Act hatcheries. NOAA is directed to limit the amount of Mitchell Act hatcheries funding withheld for administrative expenses to 10 percent.
   
10. Burrowing Shrimp Control Study – The Committee appreciates the efforts underway to study control methods, including integrated pest management, for mud shrimp, Upogebia pugettensis and ghost shrimp, Neotrypaea californiensis and other species of native burrowing shrimp species on bottom culture oyster beds. The Committee directs NMFS to provide a briefing on study findings within 180 days of the enactment of this Act.

11. Shellfish Genetics and Breeding Program – The Committee recognizes the economic importance of shellfish aquaculture for rural and coastal communities and the need for resilient, healthy stocks. The Committee supports NOAA’s efforts to develop an improved stock, promote enhanced disease resiliency, modernize production technologies, and transfer technology and improved stocks to shellfish farmers.

12. Fraud Language – Instructs law enforcement to work together across jurisdictions to combat fraud and scams.

13. The Committee encourages the Department to prioritize grants available within the Weatherization Assistance Program for manufacturing housing skirting, awning, and other traditional means of energy efficiency.

14. Prohibits funds to finalize or implement the Safety Standard Addressing Blade-Contact Injuries on Table Saws.

15. Search and Rescue Activities – The Committee reiterates the critical work done by small local law enforcement to conduct search and rescue activities on Federal lands and the financial burden such activities impose. The Committee directs the Department of the Interior, in coordination with other relevant agencies, to provide a briefing not later than 120 days following the enactment of this Act on the frequency and cost of such operations, the adequacy of reimbursement mechanisms, and additional resources needed to support these activities.

16. Outdoor Recreation – The Committee is concerned about the elevated suicide rates and mental health challenges facing law enforcement and first responders and recognizes the proven benefits of outdoor recreation. The Committee directs the Forest Service to provide a report not later than 90 days following the enactment of this Act on current activities and programs, or new opportunities, that support public law enforcement agencies and first responder agencies or volunteer agencies, specifically those related to community camp-style recreation.

17. Roads – The Committee urges the Forest Service to provide a briefing no later than 180 days following the enactment of this Act on the impacts of decommissioning forest roads. The Committee encourages the Forest Service to consider the impacts future timber needs before decommissioning occurs.

18. Food Preparation Impacts – The Committee is concerned that some State food safety regulations inadvertently limit access to fresh fruits and vegetables in child care settings. The Committee encourages the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, to develop a classification for low-risk foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, that reflects the comparatively low risk of foodborne illness and other harms associated with food typically consumed raw or with minimal processing. The Committee further encourages the Secretaries to review and, as appropriate update, relevant nutrition, food safety, and food preparation regulations and guidance that may favor prepacked, ultra-processed foods, and to revise them to reflect such classification. The Committee also encourages the Departments to work with States to align their nutrition and food safety regulations with this approach so child care providers can prepare fresh fruits and vegetables for children.

19. Opt-Out of Active Shooter Drills – None of the funds made available in this Act may be used by any local education agency to conduct student-involved active shooter drills in schools without first providing student participants under 16 years old with the ability to opt out of such exercises with parental or legal guardianship consent.

20. Technical Education in Middle School – The Committee notes Congress’ intent for Perkins funding to provide career and technical education for the “middle grades,” which may include 5th and 6th graders in some States. Where applicable, the Committee supports efforts to limit barriers of Federal support not reaching all eligible populations.

21. Dual Enrollment Pathways – The Committee continues to urge the Department, in coordination with local education agencies and institutions of higher education, to expand dual enrollment pathways for technical work, such as welding and shop class, and encourages the Secretary to offer additional technical assistance to schools to support this use.

22. Skills-Aligned Instruction – The Committee recognizes that excellence in high school level career and technical programs is predicated on middle school career and technical programs that are flexible and achievable in all schools and for all skill levels, and that foundational career and technical programs can be achieved with programs such as cardboard model building with high quality instructors.

23. EMS Preparedness and Response Workforce Development – The Committee recognizes the significant workforce shortage in the emergency medical services (EMS) sector, particularly in underserved, rural, and Tribal communities, which limits access to critical prehospital ground ambulance medical services, including critical care transport. The Committee encourages the Department to utilize existing funds through the Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities Initiative to prioritize sector-based workforce development strategies to address the ongoing EMS workforce shortage in high-need areas. These workforce development strategies should focus on the recruitment, training, and retention of emergency medical technicians and paramedics with an emphasis on creative career pathways and expanding employment opportunities in underserved, rural, and Tribal communities.

24. Student-Facing Educational Support Staff – The Committee recognizes that student-facing education staff are some of the most consequential figures in a student’s development and are critical for student success. In school districts facing budget shortfalls, the Committee is concerned that some districts opt to disproportionately layoff student-facing educational support staff, compared to administrative staff. In these situations, the Committee encourages schools to retain student-facing educational support staff to the extent possible in order to support student development and set students up for long-term success.

25. Wastewater Apprenticeships – The Committee commends the Department for awarding funding to address challenges of Registered Apprenticeship programs in rural areas and to address inadequacies in the water sector across rural America and U.S. territories. The Committee recommends $20,000,000 in grant funding available to establish, implement, expand, and administer registered apprenticeship programs consistent with the National Guideline Standards of Apprenticeship for Water and Wastewater System Operations Specialists to address nationwide shortages of qualified drinking water and wastewater operators, especially in rural America.

26. VA Care & Medical Companion Programs – The Committee remains concerned about barriers to care for undergoing outpatient or ambulatory procedures using sedation or anesthesia that requires a responsible adult available to assist in their care before and after the procedure. As a follow up to House Report 119-161, the Committee requests the Department to report to Congress about the development of more Medical Companion programs across the VHA system, including identifying barriers for setting up these programs and providing recommendations to support their continued development. The Committee reiterates the importance of ensuring any policy does not jeopardize the standard of care veterans receive.

27. Veteran Transportation – The Committee encourages the Office of Rural Health to use no less than FY26 for the continued partnership between the Veterans Transportation Program and the Office of Rural Health to continue providing transportation to VA appointments for veterans who live in rural areas.

28. Technical training partnerships – The Committee notes ongoing shortages of skilled trades, including welders and electricians, essential to maintaining and securing United States diplomatic operations and infrastructure abroad. The Committee encourages the Secretary of State to pursue partnerships with accredited technical training programs to expand apprenticeships and licensing that strengthens this workforce.

29. FHA Title I personal property loans – The Committee recognizes the challenges with using a Federal Housing Administration loan to purchase a manufactured home. Accordingly, the Committee encourages the Federal Housing Administration to update the limits for FHA Title I personal property loans to allow for realistic use to purchase a manufactured home that is not on a permanent foundation, and to coordinate with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to identify similar activities within their portfolios.

30. Headlight intensity – The Committee urges the Secretary of Transportation to brief the Committees on Appropriations regarding existing research and any gaps therein related to the impact of the intensity of low beam headlamps on the vision and safety of drivers, pedestrians, and other road users, including the effect of varied terrain

The 21 provisions adopted during committee markups are:

1. Child Care Food Preparation – The Committee is concerned by the impact of state food safety regulations inadvertently creating limitations on access to fresh fruits and vegetables in settings such as child care facilities. The Committee encourages the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to develop a classification for low-risk foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, that considers the limited risks of food-borne illness and negative health impacts associated with foods typically consumed raw or with minimal processing. The Committee further encourages the Secretaries to review and, as appropriate, update relevant nutrition and food safety and preparation regulations and guidance that may favor prepacked, processed foods to reflect such classification. The Committee also encourages states to align their nutrition and food safety regulations with this approach to ensure child care providers may prepare fresh fruits and vegetables for students.
   
2. Apple Varieties – The Committee notes the importance of the National School Lunch Program to provide students with nutritious, locally-sourced foods. The Committee encourages the Department to update the list of Foods Available for Schools and Institutions to permit the procurement of regionally appropriate, high-quality apple varieties that are more likely to be consumed by students, including varieties such as Cosmic Crisp and SugarBee.
   
3. Callery Pears – The Committee urges APHIS to take the necessary steps to designate Callery pear (Pyrus Calleryana) as a Federal Noxious Weed.

4. Mitchell Act Hatchery Operations – The Committee is concerned by the rising cost ofMitchell Act hatchery operations. NOAA is directed to report to the Committee, no later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, on the key factors driving the increase in hatchery operations costs. Furthermore, NOAA is encouraged to identify and implement any efficiencies that would mitigate the rising cost of hatchery operations.

5. Fisheries Take Reduction Teams – The Committee encourages NOAA to continue working alongside and leveraging the expertise of commercial fisheries groups, such as active crab fisherman, on take reduction teams
   
6. Crypto ATMs – The Committee is concerned by the rapid growth of fraud schemes targeting elderly and vulnerable populations through the use of cryptocurrency automated teller machines (crypto ATMs). The Committee encourages the Department, in consultation with state and local governments, to study the effect of siting Crypto ATMs near government buildings, such as police stations and courthouses, in limiting the frequency and severity of fraud. If favorable, the Department may issue guidelines to state and local governments.
   
7. Evaluating Prison Release Timing – The Committee is aware of concerns about the timing of prison releases and encourages the Department, to the extent practicable, to provide a report assessing State and local prison release times and any implications of the release times on public safety.

8. Gold Star Advisory Council – The Committee recognizes the sacrifices made by the families of service members who die while serving the nation, including members of the United States Coast Guard. The Committee notes that family members of fallen Coast Guard service members may not currently be represented on the Department of Defense Gold Star and Surviving Family Member Advisory Council. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to take appropriate steps to ensure that eligible family members of fallen Coast Guard service members are afforded the opportunity to serve on, and provide input through, the Gold Star and Surviving Family Member Advisory Council.

9. Dredging Costs – The Committee is aware of concerns regarding rising dredging costs and related strain placed on small ports and local governments. The Corps, in consultation with all relevant agencies, is directed to report to the Committee, no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, on the key regulatory factors driving the increase in dredging costs. Furthermore, USACE is encouraged to identify and implement any efficiencies that would mitigate rising dredging costs.

10. Surviving Families Advisory – The Committee recognizes the important role that the families of deceased active-duty Coast Guard servicemembers play in informing the programs and support services for surviving families. The Committee encourages the Coast Guard to work alongside these families to improve the programs and services for surviving families.

11. Increase funding for the Chemical Safety Board to the FY26 enacted levels.
    
12. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board – The Committee encourages the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to consider relevant trade, craft, operations, maintenance, construction, and other industrial work experience when recruiting and hiring personnel for investigative positions. The Committee believes that a workforce reflecting a combination of technical, scientific, engineering, and hands-on industrial experience will strengthen the Board’s ability to understand workplace conditions, identify root causes, and develop recommendations that improve chemical process safety.
    
13. Off-Highway Vehicle Mixed-Use Analyses – The Committee supports the work of the Forest Service in their efforts to complete off-highway vehicle (OHV) mixed-use analysis’ and encourages the Forest Service to move expeditiously in completing reviews on Forests Service land, including within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Committee reminds the Forest Service of the importance of making the national forests as accessible as possible to the American people and requests that the Forest Service work with States, local officials, communities, and partners as it implements the travel mixed-use analysis process.
    
14. Recess in Schools – The Committee recognizes the critical role of recess in K-12 schools in providing protected, unstructured time for children and adolescents, strengthening cognitive function and memory retention, and building problem-solving and communication skills. The Committee requests an update in the fiscal year 2028 congressional justification on the benefits of recess on the academic, social, and physical development of children and adolescents and recommendations on how to preserve recess time and remove unnecessary regulatory and administrative barriers, such as those limiting the use of wood chips on playgrounds.
    
15. Pain Management Improvements – The Committee directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study pain management improvement strategies for miscarriage.

16. Correspondence Management Systems (CMS) – The Committee recognizes the critical role CMSs play in connecting constituents to their Members of Congress. The Committee appreciates the work that the CAO is doing regarding the CMS Innovation Project and supports their continued efforts on this project. The CAO is directed to keep the Committee apprised of this effort.
    
17. Congressional Quilt Showcase – The Committee celebrates the historical significance and shared heritage quilting and needlework bring to the United States. The Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to develop a quilting show that shall be administered by lottery and held each year among constituents of each Congressional district who won a ribbon from a county fair or received similar recognition. The AOC may display each quilt outside the respective congressional office in the House of Representatives at the discretion of the member.

18. Home Loan Flexibility – The Committee recognizes evolving housing preferences among veterans, including increased interest in non-traditional living arrangements–such as recreational vehicles (RVs) and manufactured or mobile homes–used as long-term or permanent residences. The Committee further recognizes that in certain housing markets, lower-cost alternatives such as RV-based living and manufactured housing may provide an accessible pathway to housing stability for some veterans. Accordingly, the Committee directs the VA to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, assessing the feasibility and policy implications of modifying existing authorities under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, to permit the use of the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program for the purchase of land on which an RV, manufactured, or mobile home would be permanently sited as a primary residence.
    
19. Safe Parking – The Committee recognizes the success of partnerships between Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, including the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, and local communities to develop Safe Parking programs that provide veterans living in vehicles with secure overnight parking and access to support services. The Committee directs the VA to expand such partnerships, where feasible, and to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act describing existing programs, barriers to expansion, and a plan for scaling these programs in communities with demonstrated need, including any additional authorities or resources required.

20. DOT Registration Scammers – The Committee is concerned by the increasing number of reports of private entities soliciting motor carriers regarding DOT number registration, renewal, updates, and compliance requirements in a manner that may reasonably lead recipients to believe the communication originates from, or is endorsed by, the FMCSA or DOT. Such solicitations can impose unnecessary costs on motor carriers, particularly small businesses and owner-operators, and may create confusion regarding Federal registration requirements. The Committee directs FMCSA, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, to review the prevalence of misleading registration-related solicitations; assess the adequacy of existing authorities to address deceptive practices involving USDOT number communications; conduct outreach to motor carriers regarding legitimate Federal registration processes and associated fees; and provide a report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations identifying legislative, regulatory, and enforcement recommendations to protect motor carriers from deceptive or misleading registration-related solicitations. The Committee further directs FMCSA to ensure that all public-facing registration materials clearly inform motor carriers that registration, renewal, and update services may be completed directly through FMCSA and that third-party services are not required. The report shall include the number and nature of complaints received regarding misleading DOT number solicitations, enforcement actions undertaken, and recommendations for additional authorities, if necessary.
    
21. Automated Kill Switches – None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to implement section 24220 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 30111 note), except that the Secretary may study technology capable of preventing drunk driving deaths that do not include the following – (1) “”kill switch”” technology that enables any state, local, or federal agency, contractor, subcontractor, or grantee to exercise remote operation control over any motor vehicle; (2) in-vehicle technologies to monitor or transmit vehicle operational, location, biometric, or behavioral data; (3) technology that enables any state, local, or federal agency, contractor, subcontractor, or grantee to remotely access any data generated or transmitted from any motor vehicle; or (4) other invasive or coercive technology that is capable of violating driver privacy.

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