NCAPA Statement on Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Spending Bill

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) issued the following statement concerning the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus:

“While absolutely disappointed with Congress’ and the Administration’s continued failure to help our DREAMers, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is encouraged by a number of provisions within the FY 2018 Omnibus. NCAPA would like to thank the members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus who stood for the DREAMERs, as well as those who ensured that programs important to our communities receive critical funding.”

NCAPA National Director, Gregg Orton added:

“Congress deserves credit for doing the right thing in passing a spending bill that ensures that real resources go towards the AAPI community and rejecting a number of the Trump’s Administration proposals that would have inflicted harm. However, we shouldn’t overlook the simple fact that despite widespread support for a meaningful solution, DREAMers have been left out once again. In addition, Congress’ continued pattern of legislating behind closed doors and filing last-minute, massive legislation undercuts their own purported commitment to an open process and transparency. NCAPA stands ready to continue working with Congressional leaders to ensure that the AAPI community is heard.”

Some highlights within the $1.3 trillion omnibus include:

• Over $2.8 billion for the Census—over $1 billion more than the President’s FY18 budget request. Census funding is critically important to ensure that the AAPI community is properly counted in the 2020 Census.
• $15.5M for the Community Relations Service at the Department of Justice, which the Administration proposed cutting all funding. This program helps ease community tensions and addresses hate crimes.
• Over $2.9 million for Japanese American Confinement Sites, which the Administration proposed cutting completely.
• $56.67 million for the Office of Minority Health.
• $55 million for housing counseling, which helps provide linguistically and culturally appropriate counseling services to the AAPI community when purchasing a home. 

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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 35 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. Our communities are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, currently making up approximately six percent of the population.