[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 39 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[Pages 1889-1890]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and 
Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1995

September 28, 1994

    Today I have signed into law H.R. 4624, the ``Departments of 
Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
Agencies Appropriations Act, FY 1995.''

    The Act provides funding for the Departments of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) and Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and National Science 
Foundation and various other agencies. This Act will fund important 
activities in the space program, housing programs, environmental 
protection, and programs for our Nation's veterans.

    I am pleased that the Act provides funding for a number of my high-
priority investment proposals, including both the National Service and 
Community Development Financial Institutions initiatives. The National 
Service Initiative will provide an opportunity for young people to 
obtain funding for a college education while serving the country in 
areas of great need such as education, environment, public safety, and 
human services. Funding for the Community Development Financial 
Institutions fund will increase the flow of capital to distressed 
neighborhoods and their currently underserved low-income residents, and 
provide financing for neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization 
efforts.

    The Act also provides funding for the redesigned Space Station and 
other programs that will set a new direction for the Nation in space 
exploration, science, and technology. The Act includes about $260 
million for cooperative activities with Russia, with about half of that 
going directly for joint space station, human space flight, and 
scientific cooperation.
    The Act includes $7.2 billion in funding for the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA). The Act provides funds for EPA programs that 
protect our environment through enforcement of our environmental laws, 
cleanup of hazardous waste sites, and construction of needed water and 
waste water treatment facilities.

    The Act meets the needs of our Nation's veterans by providing $16.2 
billion in funding for the VA medical care program, an increase of $0.6 
billion over the FY 1994 enacted level.

    The Act includes $25.7 billion in funding for the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, including funding for programs such as 
the HOME block grants for housing, Community Development Grants, and 
Severely Distressed Public Housing. These programs will assist 
communities and individuals in revitalizing neighborhoods and increasing 
opportunities for home ownership.

    The Act provides $3.4 billion in funding for the National Science 
Foundation (NSF), a $343 million increase over the FY 1994 enacted 
level. NSF programs will promote basic research that is vital to 
enabling our Nation to compete in world markets.

    The Act includes a requested FY 1994 emergency supplemental 
appropriation of $225 million to finance housing repairs in areas 
affected by the Northridge earthquake (``ghost towns'') to be derived by 
transfers of previously appropriated emergency funds from the 
Departments of Education and Transportation.

    Concurrently with signing this bill, I am transmitting to the 
Congress a request to make available $14.5 million for FEMA, which I am 
designating as an emergency requirement. These funds will provide 
additional resources to address consequences of the Northridge 
earthquake. The funds, which were appropriated in Public Law 103-211, 
the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994, will be 
transferred from the Unanticipated Needs account within Funds 
Appropriated to the President. These funds will provide $150 million in 
additional

[[Page 1890]]

emergency disaster loans to the victims of the Northridge earthquake.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
September 28, 1994.

Note: H.R. 4624, approved September 28, was assigned Public Law No. 103-
327.