On Thursday, July 28, the Senate Appropriations Committee released draft text of the annual bills that fund the federal government 

Following Senator Reverend Warnock’s advocacy, the draft government funding bill includes robust investments in several priorities for the Middle Georgia area, including robust investments in Middle Georgia State University’s aviation program, Fort Valley State University’s veterinary program, and health care access across Georgia’s rural regions

Senator Reverend Warnock: “These robust federal investments will improve our local economy, make our universities more competitive, and ensure that every resident, especially residents in rural areas, have access to the health care services they need.”

Washington, D.C. — Following months of advocacy and conversations with partners across Georgia, today Senator Reverend Warnock (D-GA) proudly announced that he secured critical federal investments for several Georgia priorities in the recently-released draft fiscal year 2023 government funding bills, including more than $10 million for critical projects and initiatives in the Middle Georgia area that will support workforce development and increase access to health care, especially for rural residents.

“I came to the United States Senate to improve the lives of Georgians,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “The draft government funding bill will improve the lives of Middle Georgia students and residents. These robust federal investments will improve our local economy, make our universities more competitive, and ensure that every resident, especially residents in rural areas, have access to the health care services they need.”

The twelve government funding bills, released on July 28 by the Senate Appropriations Committee, reflect months of behind-the-scenes work by Senator Warnock and his office to ensure the bills address critical priorities for Georgia families and companies, including major investments to strengthen our national security and Georgia’s military communities; complete vital projects to improve and modernize the state’s infrastructure: increase support for the state’s colleges and universities, including HBCUs: and, importantly, support and create good-paying jobs in every corner of the state. In addition to securing funding for several Georgia priorities in the base text of the legislation, Senator Warnock also successfully secured $129.49 million in direct federal investments for 64 Georgia projects and initiatives, in more than 40 counties, through Congressionally-directed spending requested on behalf of stakeholders across the state. The appropriations bills must now be approved by the full Senate. 

[For a FULL list of investments and policies Senator Reverend Warnock secured for Georgia in the Draft Senate Government Funding Bills, visit HERE.] 

See below key wins for Macon and Middle Georgia that Senator Reverend Warnock secured in the draft Senate government funding bills: 

• Aviation Education at MGSU: Senator Warnock secured $2 million in Congressionally-directed spending funds for Middle Georgia State University to increase pilot education and training to meet the increasing demand for aviation education. This investment will go towards state-of-the-art technology at Georgia’s only public postsecondary aviation program and increase the University’s competitiveness.

• Breast Cancer Screenings: Senator Warnock secured $2 million in Congressionally-directed spending funds for a Mobile Mammography Screening Clinic in Bibb County. This clinic will provide imagining services as well as education and awareness about early detection to prevent breast cancer. This will ensure that residents in every corner of the county will have access to life-saving care.

• Veterinary Technology Program at FVSU: Senator Warnock secured $1.54 million in Congressionally-directed spending funds for Fort Valley State University’s Veterinary Technology Program to support expanded educational opportunities and real-world clinical training experience for enrolled students. This will increase the universities’ competitiveness and students’ academic experience.

• Rural Health Care in Bleckley County: Senator Warnock secured $1 million in Congressionally-directed spending funds to support rural health care access by updating facilities and equipment to improve healthcare services in Bleckley County.

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