WASHINGTON, DC -The U.S. Senate today passed a $410 billion consolidated appropriations bill to help strengthen our economy, keep the government working for the remainder of fiscal year 2009, and make critical investments in America’s future. U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted for final passage of the bill.
The bill includes:
· $66.5 billion for education to help students succeed in the classroom, up from $62.1 billion in fiscal year 2008;
· $55 billion for Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development programs, an increase of $6.2 billion, to put people to work and improve our transportation and housing infrastructure;
· $33.3 billion for Energy and Water Development programs, a $2.5 billion increase that will help expand clean energy initiatives; and
· $30.1 billion for the National Institute of Health, a nearly $1 billion increase, to invest in lifesaving research that will result in cures and treatments for debilitating diseases.
The legislation also includes over $32.3 million that Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Senator Whitehouse secured for a wide range of projects throughout Rhode Island.
“This legislation makes critical investments in education, health care, and energy efficiency, priorities that were overlooked and underfunded during the Bush Administration. These investments will help grow our economy, improve our infrastructure, boost our energy efficiency, and save and create good paying jobs in Rhode Island and nationwide,” said Reed. “I am pleased to have worked with Senator Whitehouse, Representative Kennedy, and Representative Langevin to secure this important funding for Rhode Island. This legislation complements the economic recovery package we passed last month, and provides critical investments to strengthen Rhode Island’s economy and our future.”
“With our economy in trouble, this funding will help keep jobs in Rhode Island, strengthen our highway and water infrastructure, and support our doctors and hospitals at a critical time for out state and our country,” said Whitehouse. “I applaud Senator Reed for his efforts on the Appropriations Committee and am happy to have worked with him to get this done.”
The Fiscal Year 2009 Consolidated Appropriations Act includes federal funding for several key Rhode Island programs that Senators Reed and Whitehouse supported, including:
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT: Over $8.7 Million extra for specific RI Initiatives
Senators Reed and Whitehouse worked with Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to include transportation and housing funding for several Rhode Island projects, including: Pawtucket River Bridge ($1,900,000); South County Commuter Rail Wickford Junction Station ($1,345,000); Portsmouth Town Center Plan ($950,000); RIPTA Statewide Bus Fleet ($950,000); and Nickerson Community Center for homeless veterans ($807,500).
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND SCIENCE (CJS): Over $7.8 Million extra for specific RI Initiatives
Senator Reed is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science. Senators Reed and Whitehouse worked with Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to include CJS funding for several Rhode Island projects, including: Pell Library and Undersea Center at the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography ($1,200,000 ); URI’s Bay Window water quality program ($1,000,000); Narragansett Bay and Little Narragansett Bay Watershed Restoration ($1,000,000); Phoenix House Drug & Alcohol Treatment ($1,000,000); Providence Police Department’s drug crime community policing initiative ($1,000,000 ); and Save the Bay’s Marine Education Program ($1,000,000).
ENERGY AND WATER: Over $5.3 million extra for specific RI Initiatives
Senator Reed is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. Senators Reed and Whitehouse worked with Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to include energy and water funding for several Rhode Island projects, including: URI’s Biofuel Switchgrass Study ($1,427,250); Point Judith Harbor of Refuge Dredging ($1,161,000); Offshore Renewable Energy Special Area Management Plan (SAMP): $666,050; Dredging New Shoreham’s Channels ($517,000); and Fox Point Hurricane Barrier ($500,000); South Coastal Rhode Island Sediment Management ($500,000); and Woonsocket Flood Protection Project ($300,000).
LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION: Over $5 Million extra for specific RI Initiatives
Senator Reed is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. Senators Reed and Whitehouse worked with Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to include labor, health, and human services funding for several Rhode Island projects, including: South County Hospital ($856,000); St. Joseph Health Services ($618,000); Year Up Providence ($571,000); Thundermist Health Center ($476,000); and University of Rhode Island’s (URI) College of Nursing ($428,000).
AGRICULTURE: Over $1.8 million extra for specific RI Initiatives
Senator Reed is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration. Senators Reed and Whitehouse worked with Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to include agriculture funding for several Rhode Island projects, including: University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences ($446,000); Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative ($280,000); Tick-Borne Disease Research ($280,000); the Pocasset River Watershed Project ($267,000); and the East Coast Shellfish Aquaculture Initiative ($245,000).
INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT: Over $3.1 Million extra for specific RI Initiatives
Senator Reed is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment. Senators Reed and Whitehouse worked with Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to include environmental and infrastructure funding for several Rhode Island projects, including: Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex ($700,000); North Providence Drainage Improvements ($600,000); Aquidneck Island Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning Study ($500,000); Lincoln Water Main Relining ($300,000); and Wastewater Treatment System Upgrades ($300,000).
FINANCIAL SERVICES: Over $685,000 extra for specific RI Initiatives
Senators Reed and Whitehouse worked with Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to include financial services funding for several Rhode Island projects, including: Rhode Island Rural Development Council and Farm Fresh Rhode Island ($332,500); East Providence Special Waterfront Development District ($234,746); Aquidneck Island Corporate Park ($117,909); and Rhode Island Manufacturers Institute ($63,867).
On February 25th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 245-178. Now that it has been approved by the full U.S. Senate, it will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
To see a complete list of funding for Rhode Island projects that Senators Reed and Whitehouse supported in the Fiscal Year 2009 Consolidated Appropriations Act, visit: reed.senate.gov.
-end-
