Washington, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee praised the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations bills through the House, which include targeted Community Project Funding priorities to strengthen public safety, protect access to clean drinking water, and advance medical research and workforce development across Florida's 15th Congressional District.

"These bills move Washington toward accountable budgeting by reducing overall federal spending while prioritizing essential investments that protect public safety, clean drinking water, and economic opportunity," said Rep. Lee. "As one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, Florida's 15th District must ensure our infrastructure, public safety systems, and research institutions can keep pace with that growth."

The FY26 appropriations package includes the following projects, each selected for its broad public benefit and long-term value to the community:

Public Safety & Community Protection

• Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Program (Plant City) -

Protecting pedestrians at public events by providing federal funding for specialized safety barriers used by local law enforcement during parades, festivals, and other large gatherings, helping prevent unauthorized vehicle access and reducing the risk of vehicle-based attacks.

Safe Drinking Water & Infrastructure Reliability

• Pasco County Crystal Springs Chlorine Booster Station Project -

Improving drinking water safety and efficiency through federal investment in a chlorine booster station at Pasco County's Crystal Springs facility, reducing unnecessary water loss while ensuring compliance with drinking water safety standards.

• City of Lakeland Water Treatment Plant Chlorine Conversion Project -

Enhancing community and worker safety by funding the conversion of a major water treatment plant from hazardous gaseous chlorine to a safer liquid chlorine system, eliminating the risk of dangerous gas leaks near residential areas.

• Hillsborough County Drinking Water Infrastructure Inspection and Analysis Program -

Preventing disruptive water main breaks by supporting a comprehensive inspection and analysis of aging underground water infrastructure, allowing the county to identify vulnerabilities early and prioritize critical repairs before failures occur.

Medical Research, Innovation & Workforce Development

• Moffitt Cancer Center CryoCure: Illuminating Cancer's Hidden Structures -

Accelerating lifesaving cancer research with federal funding for advanced imaging technology that enables researchers to better understand how cancer drugs interact at the molecular level and speeds the development of more precise, targeted therapies.

• USF Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Makerspace Equipment Acquisition and Installation -

Preparing students for high-demand technology careers through investment in hands-on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity equipment at the University of South Florida, strengthening workforce readiness, and supporting Tampa Bay's growing innovation economy.

"These projects address real needs by keeping families safe, ensuring access to clean and reliable drinking water, and positioning our district as a leader in medical research and innovation," Rep. Lee added."I'm grateful to Chairman Cole, Chairman Rogers, Chairman Simpson, and the Appropriations Committee for their leadership as this process moves forward."