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CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE VOTES TO OVERHAUL AND STRENGTHEN NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

July 1, 2020

Moving Forward Act takes bold steps to invest in schools, transit, broadband, healthcare, and more. Legislation features amendments authored by Morelle, including Buy America amendment to support businesses and workers here at home

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle voted to enact a landmark $1.5 trillion infrastructure package that would provide critical funding to bolster national infrastructure. H.R. 2, The Moving Forward Act, takes steps to fix America's crumbling roads and bridges and makes significant investments in schools, internet access, childcare and housing, and the environment. And at a time when Americans are out of work, TheMoving Forward Act will create millions of jobs and support America's manufacturing sector. Rep. Morelle is a co-sponsor of the legislation and authored multiple amendments included in the bill.

"Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of disrepair of our roads, bridges, schools, and neighborhoods cost American taxpayers billions of dollars each year," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "Now, we've seen that this global health crisis has exacerbated these inequities and highlighted how under-resourced our infrastructure truly is. We need bold action, and that is why I am so proud to co-sponsor and cast my vote for The Moving Forward Act."

For years, American families and representatives on both sides of the aisle have called for significant investments to address crumbling national infrastructure. The Moving Forward Act delivers for the American people during their time of need and takes steps to ensure our infrastructure will remain strong for generations to come.

In addition to co-sponsoring the legislation, three of Rep. Morelle's own amendments have been included in the bill. They are:

TheGAO Amendment:

  • Would direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the accessibility of FEMA's Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and other relevant flood disaster assistance programs and work to identify barriers to access based on race, ethnicity, language, and income level.

The Buy America Amendment:

  • Would apply Buy America provisions to the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program, offer long-term, low-cost loans to railroad operators, including passenger rail and Amtrak, and require newly built rail cars to comply with Buy America provisions, creating new opportunities for American business and high-skilled workers here at home

Bus Shelter Amendment:

  • Would make it easier for transit agencies across the country to install or upgrade shelters quickly and effectively, without facing confusion regarding best environmental practices by requiring the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to create best practices guidelines on implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act when installing new or replacing old bus shelters

Additional provisions of H.R. 2, The Moving Forward Act would:

Support Health Care:

  • Provides $30 billion to modernize and improve the nation's health care infrastructure, including increasing capacity and strengthening care, assisting COVID-19 response, supporting the Indian Health Service's infrastructure, and increasing capacity for community-based care.

Bolster Schools and Child Care:

  • Invests $130 billion toward high-poverty schools with hazardous facilities and creates over 2 million jobs.
  • Provides a $10 billion federal investment in child-care facilities to address structural challenges and ensure compliance with safety regulations and public health directives.

Expand Housing:

  • Invests over $100 billion to create or preserve 1.8 million affordable homes.
  • Expands the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and target housing incentives for rural and tribal communities and individuals at risk of homelessness.

Strengthen Broadband:

  • Invests $100 billion to provide high-speed broadband Internet access, with a focus on communities in persistent poverty.
  • Ensures children have access to digital equipment and affordable broadband options for remote learning.
  • Enhances broadband payment support for low-income households and the recently unemployed.

Invest in Highways, Bridges, Transit, Rail, Airports, and Ports/Harbors:

  • Authorizes $300 billion for construction and maintenance of federal highways and bridges.
  • Provides $100 billion for zero-emission buses, new routes, and more reliable service.

Make Critical Clean Water Investments:

  • Provides over $25 billion to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and programs to remove dangerous contaminants from local water systems.

Protect Clean Energy and Environment:

  • Provides more than $70 billion to accommodate and expand access to renewable energy, strengthen clean energy infrastructure, and develop an electric vehicle charging network.
  • Expands tax incentives to promote the deployment of green energy technologies and reduces carbon pollution.
  • Establishes a $3 billion grant program to restore Great Lakes and coastal habitats and marine ecosystems.
  • Incentivizes the development of wind and solar energy on public lands and build a workforce for offshore wind.

"The Moving Forward Act makes our priorities clear: we are investing not only in physical infrastructure, but in the needs of families, workers, and communities across the country," added Congressman Morelle. "This legislation supports our needs right now, fostering millions of jobs, and secures our future by forging a path toward zero carbon emissions, making our streets and transit safer, and creating a better learning environment to every child."

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