Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) and Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02) once again had different views on a vote in Washington.
Sewell voted in favor of a measure to keep the government funded, while Moore voted against it.
Sewell said that the vote was an investment in Alabama families and economy with a number of items that will benefit Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District.
“This government funding package invests in Alabama families and advances many of the priorities that Alabamians value most, creating good-paying jobs, improving our infrastructure and bolstering our economy,” said Sewell. “I’m so proud to have helped secure millions of dollars in funding for local projects in our district! The funding for these projects responds directly to the needs of our communities, which is why I fought so hard for its inclusion. It is my hope that the Senate will swiftly approve this funding and send it to President Biden’s desk.”
Moore disagreed, as some conservatives have suggested that the massive government spending, which began under President Donald Trump but has only escalated under President Biden, is fueling the inflation crisis as these government dollars compete for resources with the private sector for scarce labor, construction materials, energy, and other resources.
“Instead of providing members of Congress the opportunity to carefully examine how taxpayer dollars are spent, Speaker Pelosi combined half of the twelve appropriations bills into one massive $405 billion package, telling taxpayers’ representatives to simply take it or leave [it] regardless of the waste, pork, and just plain wrong spending included,” said Moore. “Instead of addressing the inflation, crime, illegal immigration, and energy crises, this bill surrenders to progressives by funneling your dollars to radicals at the EPA and IRS and removing longstanding protections prohibiting federal spending on abortions. The American people deserve representation that fights for their interests, but this legislation is just further proof that the Democrat majority prioritizes their own political fortunes over the oath they swore.”
The FY2023 government funding package includes:
$4,000,000 for Blight Removal in Montgomery - The funding would be used to redevelop blighted properties within the city of Montgomery to revitalize neighborhoods that have historically seen a lack of investment opportunities.
$4,000,000 for the Selma Riverfront Multi-Plex - The funding would be used to acquire, redevelop and construct a center for essential public safety services accessible to all members of the community.
$4,000,000 for the Birmingham Valley Creek Rails to Trails Project - The funding would be used to redevelop and construct a 4.57-mile recreation and transportation project for low-income city residents.
$500,000 for the town of Orrville Public Library - The funding would be used for the construction of a new municipal public library providing access to educational resources for a historically underserved community.
$750,000 for the Bethel Baptist Church Family and Child Center - The funding would be used to construct a multi-purpose community center providing child care and educational support for youth & families in a neighborhood that has experienced economic hardship and overall lack of investment for decades.
$1,500,000 for the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Restoration - The funding would be used to stabilize the structure of the building to allow for further restoration of the sanctuary, bell towers, and brickwork.
$6,800,000 for an F-35 Weapons Load Crew Training Facility at the Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field) - The funding would be used to construct a Weapons Load Crew Training facility utilizing conventional design and construction methods to accommodate the mission of the facility. This arrangement will improve the ability to train weapons load crews and certify their continued readiness.
$15,000,000 for a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Gate at Maxwell Air Force Base - The funding would be used to construct a commercial vehicle inspection and entry control facility area. This project will provide perimeter protection and security of Air Force personnel and assets, prevent unauthorized access, and maximize traffic flow.
Sewell’s office wrote that as a whole, this government funding package will secure critical investments in a range of key priorities for Alabama communities.
Sewell said that the package includes:
$171 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, including $28 million for competitive grants to preserve the sites and stories of underrepresented communities, and $10 million for grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
$65 million for ten new grant programs authorized in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, including $5 million for the new Decentralized Wastewater Grant Program.
$11.5 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including $126 million to advance work related to Per- and Polyfluroalkyl Substances (PFAS), $5.18 billion for State and Tribal Assistance Grants, and $301 million for Environmental Justice.
$62.7 billion for Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including an expansion of housing choice vouchers to more than 140,000 individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and 5,600 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities.
$105.4 billion in budgetary resources for the Department of Transportation (DOT), which will create and sustain tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs rebuilding our crumbling transportation infrastructure.
More than $2.6 billion to reduce emissions, increase resiliency, and address historical inequities in transportation and housing programs.
$560 billion for the expansion of broadband service.
$30 billion in loan authority for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.
More than $1.5 billion for rental assistance and affordable rental housing vouchers for low-income families and the elderly in rural communities.
$111.2 billion in required mandatory spending for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), including $3 billion for the SNAP reserve fund, which will serve more than 43.5 million people.
$3.6 billion in discretionary funding to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to combat the opioid crisis, stem food outbreaks, and address heavy metals in baby food.
$4 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
$350 million to advance technologies to increase resiliency, efficiency, and clean energy capabilities of the nation’s electricity delivery system.
$100 million to accelerate domestic manufacturing of key clean energy technologies.
$10.8 billion for the nation’s water infrastructure.
$326 billion for Entrepreneurial Development Programs at the Small Business Administration.
$336 million for Community Development Financial Institutions, including $10 million to increase the availability and affordability of small-dollar loans.
$400 million for Election Security Grants to augment state efforts to improve the security and integrity of elections for Federal office.
$15.1 billion for military construction, including $274.4 million for Child Development Centers, $2.1 billion for Family Housing, and $135 million for Climate Change and Resiliency Projects.
$135 billion in discretionary funds for the Veterans Administration (VA), including $13.9 billion for mental health care, $911.1 million for gender-specific care and Programmatic Efforts for Women, and $2.7 billion for Homeless Assistance Programs.
The U.S. national debt is almost $30.6 trillion, and the budget deficit is $1.64 trillion thus far this year. Neither political party has presented a five-year plan to balance the budget.
The total package now goes back to the Senate.
Sewell is in her sixth term representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District. Moore is in his first term representing Alabama's Second Congressional District.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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