Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Votes to Fund Critical Infrastructure Projects In Hawai"i and Across the Country

Press Release

Today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) voted to pass H.R.2, the INVEST Act, to authorize funding for key infrastructure projects and improvements across the country. She also voted to include a number of amendments that make key improvements to the bill, including an amendment that requires Tribal and Native Hawaiian consultation in the development of the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and improves technical assistance for Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations accessing the program.

The bill was passed by a vote of 233-188 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

"Across America our infrastructure is antiquated. Bridges and roads are crumbling. We need a commitment to rebuild America, not only to address the critical infrastructure on which Hawai"i and our country depend, it also does so in a way that is safer, cleaner, and greener," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. "This legislation benefits Hawai'i in so many key areas: improvements for rural areas, and in transit, housing, broadband, school infrastructure, water systems, and environmental protection funding and programs."

Background: H.R.2, the INVEST in America Act will provide $1.5 trillion to rebuild America's infrastructure.

For Hawai"i, the legislation includes:
Federal Transit Administration Formula Funds for Hawai"i including:
In fiscal year 2020, an estimated $46.3 million
In fiscal year 2021, an estimated $70.8 million
In fiscal year 2022, an estimated $60.9 million
In fiscal year 2023, an estimated $61.8 million
In fiscal year 2024, an estimated $62.8 million
And in fiscal year 2025, an estimated $63.7 million.
Federal-Aid Highway Estimated Apportionments for Hawai"i, including:
In fiscal year 2021, an estimated $248.1 million
In fiscal year 2022, an estimated $236.4 million
In fiscal year 2023, an estimated $240.5 million
In fiscal year 2024, an estimated $245.3 million
And in fiscal year 2025, an estimated $249.7 million.
Authorizing $1 billion for the Native American Housing Block Grant (NAHBG) program, which provides flexible funds for affordable housing activities to benefit low-income tribal households. At least 10 percent of the funding in this section must be used for green housing investments.
Increasing funding to $96 million for fiscal year 2022 through fiscal year 2025 for the University Transportation Centers Program, which would benefit the UTC on the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Appropriating $60 million for grants to States to develop their digital equity plans and provides $625 million for grants to implement these plans. At least 5% of the funds must be used to award grants to Indian tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

H.R. 2 also includes a number of provisions to improve infrastructure in Hawai"i and across the country, including:
More than $300 billion of investment in improving existing infrastructure.
More than $100 billion in public transit to put more zero-emission buses on the road, add new routes, and provide more reliable service, resulting in better transit options and fewer single-occupant cars clogging highways.
Investments in programs, projects, and materials that emphasize resiliency while reducing carbon pollution from the transportation sector, including $1.4 billion in alternative fuel charging infrastructure.
Investments in schools with $130 billion to assist high-poverty schools with facilities that endanger the health and safety of students and educators.
Provides financing support for state and local government investments and spurs private investment.
Promotes revitalization in economically distressed communities.
Invests over $100 billion into our nation's affordable housing infrastructure and increasing federal investment in low-income housing through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
Investments in delivering affordable high-speed broadband Internet access to all parts of the country
Protects access to safe drinking water by investing over $25 billion in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and other programs to ensure all communities have clean drinking water and to help remove dangerous contaminants like PFAS from local water systems.
Invests $40 billion in new wastewater infrastructure to encourage efficiency and affordability, and helps communities address stormwater needs, preventing pollution in local rivers.
Modernizes our energy infrastructure for a clean energy future by investing more than $70 billion to transform our electric grid to accommodate more renewable energy, expand renewable energy, strengthen existing infrastructure, help develop an electric vehicle charging network, and support energy efficiency, weatherization, and Smart Communities infrastructure.
Modernizes the nation's health care infrastructure by investing $30 billion to upgrade hospitals to increase capacity and strengthen care, help community health centers respond to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies, improve clinical laboratory infrastructure, support the Indian Health Service"s infrastructure, and increase capacity for community-based care.
Invests $25 billion to modernize postal infrastructure and operations, including a zero emissions postal vehicle fleet, processing equipment and other goods.

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