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Transportation and Infrastructure Actions
Last week, two bills I have been working to pass were approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I). The Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act, which I co-led with T&I Ranking Member Sam Graves, and H.R. 2220, a bill to achieve cost savings in Federal real estate, which I introduced, were both approved in the committee.
E-BRIDGE Act (H.R. 3193)
The E-BRIDGE Act would remove hurdles for broadband projects under Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment. It also would ensure that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and give communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements.
I’m proud that the E-BRIDGE Act is one step closer to final passage. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with my colleagues to advance this bill, which would help implement modern approaches to economic development and create new opportunities for individuals to work, attend school, socialize, and access health care in every corner of our country.
More information about how the E-BRIDGE Act will increase the reach of broadband to rural and economically distressed communities is available here .
T&I Ranking Member Sam Graves also wrote an insightful op-ed on the impacts of the E-BRIDGE Act that you can read by clicking here .
Support for the E-BRIDGE Act:
This is a big step forward for Missourians and Americans nationwide without access to reliable high-speed broadband internet. The E-BRIDGE Act breaks down barriers in existing federal grant programs to unlock more funding to get last-mile internet infrastructure projects completed. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you live, Americans of all walks of life use the internet for everything, from precision agriculture, to telemedicine, to school and work. It’s critical that we get folks plugged in, and I’m grateful my colleagues on both sides of the aisle came together to get this commonsense legislation passed out of committee.
– Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves
Broadband is critical for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. With 17% of rural Americans still without reliable broadband, the digital divide restricts access to essential education, healthcare and business resources as well as limits farmers’ capacity to use the latest technology to meet sustainability goals. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Sam Graves and Michael Guest for introducing the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility Act, a bill that would expand access to broadband by allowing distressed communities to utilize Economic Development Administration grants for broadband deployment.
– Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation
More information about how the E-BRIDGE Act will increase the reach of broadband to rural and economically distressed communities is available here.
Bill to Allow GSA to Enter Into Bargain Price Purchasing Agreements (H.R. 2220)
H.R. 2220 would ensure that the General Services Administration (GSA) is able to negotiate discounted purchase options in situations when the buying of federal property is the cheaper alternative to a long-term lease.
Innovation and free market solutions continue to provide pathways towards a more efficient government spending, and I believe we have outlined one of those pathways in this bill. Following the committee’s approval of H.R. 2220, we are now one step closer in reducing waste and replacing it with commonsense, free market solutions that promote responsible use of the taxpayer dollar.
Stabilizing Natchez National Cemetery
EEarlier this year, erosion threatened the Natchez National Cemetery, the final resting place for many American soldiers, including a medal of honor recipient. The threat of erosion was significant enough to gain the attention of local, state, and federal officials, which is why I worked closely with landowners, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration, and other Members of Congress to help expedite a $9.1 million contract that will allow contractors to quickly address these erosion issues that were deemed an emergency by federal officials.
The project targets the bluffs along the western edge of the cemetery and will utilize similar methods that have been used to stabilize other bluffs in the Natchez area. In doing so, we will ensure that the graves of our heroes are protected from erosion and that the site will continue to be available for the burial of veterans and their families for years to come.
Construction is projected to be completed by August 2022.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside local, state, and federal officials to help ensure the Natchez National Cemetery is preserved for future generations of veterans and their families. The speed of the work by officials to protect this valuable site should be commended.
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