Marianas CIP increases in H.R.2

Press Release

Funding to reopen and rebuild island schools, maintain roads, make broadband more available, and invest in hospitals and community health centers is all part of a sweeping infrastructure bill passed by the House on Wednesday. My amendment increasing water funding for the Marianas was added during floor debate. A 1.5 percent set-aside for water and sewer systems in insular areas, approved year-by-year since 2010, would now become permanent. I am, also, a cosponsor of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, which invests $1.5 trillion in our nation's infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs and combating the climate crisis. Highlights include:
$100 billion investment in schools nationwide, including $500 million for the insular areas to construct, modernize, and renovate public school facilities with special attention to the needs for social distancing and online learning because of the coronavirus,
$25 billion in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to which my amendment making permanent the 1.5 percent set-aside of Safe Drinking Water Act funds for the insular areas would apply. Current law authorizes only 0.33 percent,
$40 billion in new wastewater infrastructure with permanent authorization of an 1.5 percent annual set-aside for insular areas of Clean Water Act funds, up from the current 0.25 percent,
$100 million in annual Territorial Highway Funds, up from $42 million per year,
An increase of $400,000 for the Marianas' new bus transit system,
$100 billion for broadband internet infrastructure including $685 million for the development and implementation of "digital equity" plans,
$50 broadband benefit for low-income households,
$10 billion for the construction and modernization of our nation's hospitals and medical facilities,
$10 billion for community health center capital grants,
$300 million to improve insular area childcare facilities,
$70 billion for renewable energy systems,
$4 billion annually for Airport Improvement Program grants, and
Grant eligibility for the Marianas to develop and implement AMBER Alert notifications.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is unclear what action the Republican majority will take. Although surface transportation programs expire on September 30, the White House issued a statement saying the president would veto the Moving Forward Act if it reached his desk.

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