Rep. Summer Lee Celebrates House Passage of Millions in Federal Funding for Western Pennsylvania in Minibus Funding Package, Rejects Extreme Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C.- JANUARY 9, 2026 - Yesterday, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12)voted YES on the House minibus funding package, advancing millions of federal dollars she secured for critical investments in Western Pennsylvania. While the minibus is far from perfect, it is a bipartisan compromise that rejects the most extreme, right-wing budget cuts, eliminates poison poll policy riders that undermine public health, scientific research, and essential services; and reaffirms Congress' power of the purse. The package includes funding for three community project initiatives championed by Rep. Lee that will strengthen local infrastructure, protect public health, and support young people in the Pittsburgh region:

"This vote advances real investments that people across Western Pennsylvania can actually feel in their daily lives, and I'm proud to have secured this funding for critical infrastructure upgrades, water safety, and juvenile justice initiatives. I'm grateful to the community organizers for their partnership and will continue to push for full passage of all our community projects.

"This package also pushes back against the Trump administration's proposed deep budget cuts and consolidation of essential agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation. When those agencies are weakened, working families pay the price through dirtier air and water, fewer good jobs, and fewer opportunities for the next generation. Protecting these investments means standing up for our health, our environment, and the future we all know our kids deserve."

Rep. Lee emphasized that the passage of the minibus package reflects ongoing collaboration with local municipalities, community organizations, and advocates who identified these needs and worked closely with her office to advance these projects through the appropriations process. The funding will be distributed to project awardees following final enactment and implementation. The three projects include:

• Bethel Park - Piney Fork Interceptor Lining Project: $520,000 to upgrade a deteriorating sewer interceptor, reducing overflow risks, protecting waterways, and improving the reliability of wastewater treatment.
• Monroeville Municipal Authority - Transite Water Line Replacements: $1,092,000 to replace nearly 9,700 feet of aging asbestos cement water lines, improving drinking water safety, preventing costly pipe failures, and strengthening long-term infrastructure resilience.
• Juvenile Justice Prevention Project in Pittsburgh:$350,000 for the Youth Advocate Program to provide mentoring, family engagement, and career guidance for adjudicated youth, helping young people successfully return to their communities and avoid future system involvement.

In addition to delivering local investments, the minibus package rejects many of the Trump administration's proposed deep budget cuts to key federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation. These agencies play a critical role in protecting clean air and water, advancing scientific discovery, and supporting innovation and economic growth across the region.

The legislation also reinforces Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending decisions, ensuring that elected representatives maintain accountability for how taxpayer dollars are allocated rather than deferring that power to the executive branch or the Office of Management and Budget.

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, shehas delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billionbrought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania's infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.