By Brandon Moseley
Congressman Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) announced Monday that he is co-sponsoring legislation that would free up unspent COVID-19 relief dollars for infrastructure needs.
The State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act makes various infrastructure investments eligible for payment with unspent COVID-19 relief funds.
“South Alabama has a desperate need for investments in true infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, waterways, and broadband,” Carl said. “As a former county commissioner, investing in our nation’s infrastructure is a top priority for me. So I’m proud to cosponsor this bipartisan bill to give states like Alabama the flexibility they need to spend unused COVID-19 relief dollars on critical investments in our nation’s infrastructure.
“Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi is holding the American people hostage by blocking this bill from being considered on the House floor. Despite passing the U.S. Senate unanimously and being introduced in the House by a large, bipartisan group, Nancy Pelosi is focused on raising our taxes, bankrupting America, and playing political games. It’s time to put the American people first and pass this bipartisan, common sense bill.”
The legislation was introduced Tuesday by U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota) and Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Georgia). It would give state and local officials additional flexibility and time to responsibly spend the remaining COVID-19 relief dollars received from the American Rescue Plan Act and the original CARES Act relief package.
"State governments need flexibility, and this bill is good policy,” said Johnson. “The CARES Act restricted local governments from utilizing relief dollars on certain critical infrastructure projects and the American Rescue Plan prohibits states from returning unused dollars. These are two areas that need to be improved and this bill accomplishes that goal. I’m grateful to Senator Cornyn for his leadership on the Senate companion.”
“As we look towards the end of the pandemic, we must ensure our communities have a strong start on the path to recovery,” said Bourdeaux. “This legislation gives states and local governments the flexibility they need to use federally administered COVID-19 relief funding to meet their unique transportation and infrastructure needs. I urge the House to take up the Senate-passed legislation and give our local governments the flexibility they need to thrive.”
The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Rick Allen (R-Georgia), Suzan DelBene (D-Washington), David Rouzer (R-North Carolina), Marilyn Strickland (D-Washington), Randy K. Weber (R-Texas), Jared Huffman (D-California), Steven Palazzo (R-Mississippi), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Georgia), Andy Barr (R-Kentucky), Joseph Morelle (D-New York), Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania), Albio Sires (D-New Jersey), Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Florida), Antonio Delgado (D-New York), David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-West Virginia), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-Washington), Peter Meijer (R-Michigan), Darren Soto (D-Florida), Chris Pappas (D-New Hampshire), Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas), Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota), William Timmons (R-South Carolina), Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), Derek Kilmer (D-Washington), Don Young (R-Alaska), and Tom O’Halleran (D-Arizona).
Carl is in his first term representing Alabama’s First Congressional District. Carl previously served as the head of the Mobile County Commission.
