ICYMI_ Shaheen Helps Advance Key NH Prio…

(Washington, DC) — Final week, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, participated in a full committee markup of key authorities funding laws for fiscal 12 months (FY) 2024. The three payments – the Vitality and Water Improvement and Associated Businesses, State and International Operations and Associated Applications and the Transportation, Housing and City Improvement and Associated Businesses Appropriations Acts for FY 2024 – handed the committee with bipartisan assist. As a senior appropriator, Senator Shaheen helped embody and supported plenty of provisions immediately impacting Granite Staters and communities nationwide, in addition to key nationwide safety priorities.

As well as, Shaheen particularly labored to advance over $25 million in congressionally directed spending (CDS) awards, which if included in remaining laws and permitted by Congress, might be immediately awarded to specified New Hampshire recipients. The CDS course of invests in a variety of priorities all through the state, together with clear vitality, academic coaching, assets to fight homelessness and housing insecurity and far more. Shaheen efficiently included greater than $111 million in CDS awards for New Hampshire in final 12 months’s spending invoice.

“I’m thrilled to assist advance the annual authorities funding laws for the subsequent fiscal 12 months so we are able to ship concrete outcomes to Granite Staters. The funding payments we marked up will assist bolster investments in essential areas similar to vitality effectivity, reasonably priced housing, transportation and extra. We additionally included key packages to advance U.S. pursuits overseas,” stated Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Associated Businesses. “Because the annual authorities funding invoice strikes into its subsequent stage, I’ll work to make sure New Hampshire will get its fair proportion of federal assets.”

Abstract of Shaheen Priorities Included within the Vitality and Water Improvement and Associated Businesses Appropriations Act (Vitality and Water) for Fiscal 12 months 2024:

Vitality Effectivity in Houses, Companies, Trade and the Federal Authorities

Senator Shaheen championed strong funding for key packages to assist enhance the vitality effectivity of residential and industrial buildings, business and the federal authorities. Within the Vitality and Water invoice, Shaheen secured elevated funding for quite a lot of priorities, together with over $366 million for packages to ship weatherization companies to low-income households. In March, Shaheen joined Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Coons (D-DE) in introducing the bipartisan Weatherization Help Program Enhancements Act to authorize the Weatherization Readiness Fund and make different program enhancements. Shaheen additionally helped safe $66 million for the State Vitality Program (SEP), which assists states with creating vitality effectivity and renewable vitality packages.

The invoice additionally contains continued sturdy funding for the Constructing Applied sciences program, which accelerates the adoption of cost-effective applied sciences, instruments and companies that allow high-performing, energy-efficient and demand-flexible residential and industrial buildings. It additionally contains $57 million for the Federal Vitality Administration Program, which helps federal businesses meet energy- and water-reduction necessities and objectives.

Investing in U.S. Manufacturing and Financial Improvement

Senator Shaheen has lengthy been a frontrunner in advocating for larger funding in home provide chains and creating regional economies to allow them to stay globally aggressive. Within the FY 2024 invoice, Shaheen helped safe $496 million for investments in superior manufacturing, together with for packages that assist U.S. firms develop progressive supplies and manufacture applied sciences to assist a clear, decarbonized economic system.

Moreover, Shaheen secured a rise in funding for the Northern Border Regional Fee (NBRC), the one regional fee to obtain a rise in funding over FY 2023 enacted. The $41 million allotted for NBRC will go in the direction of financial improvement initiatives for rural communities within the New England space. These initiatives embody addressing the decline in forest-based economies all through the area and funding the State Capability Constructing Grant Program.

Assist for Coastal Infrastructure Funding and Environmental Analysis

Within the FY 2024 Vitality and Water invoice, Shaheen secured $8.93 billion for the Military Corps of Engineers (Corps), who often spearhead dredging tasks in New Hampshire. Moreover, $178 million was allotted for the Small, Distant or Subsistence Navigation account, which incorporates language urging the Corps to expedite the upkeep of small and low-use ports which have skilled sudden ranges of decay since their final dredging. This funding and report language will assist make sure the Corps can meet the wants of small harbors in New Hampshire and throughout the nation.

Supporting coastal environmental analysis efforts has been lengthy championed by Shaheen, and he or she secured $15 million for the Coastal Inlet Analysis Program. The Program helps the College of New Hampshire analysis tasks that handle crucial points related to coastal flooding, erosion and human and ecosystem well being in nearshore and estuarine environments. Over $2 million in separate funding was allotted to assist the Corps’ Chilly Areas Analysis and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), preserve their analysis collaborations with Dartmouth College, and replace distant sensing tools throughout the U.S. Military Engineer Analysis and Improvement Heart enterprise.

Abstract of Shaheen Priorities Included within the State and International Operations and Associated Applications (SFOPS) Appropriations Act for Fiscal 12 months 2024:

Particular Immigrant Visas (SIV) Program

Shaheen fought for a landmark victory for the Afghan SIV program, securing the most important one-time visa improve in program historical past. Shaheen, who has championed efforts within the Senate to maintain the guarantees the U.S. made to those that supported the mission in Afghanistan, secured the inclusion of an extra 20,000 visas. The modification extends the Afghan Particular Immigrant Visa program for 5 years by way of 2029. The modification responds on to findings Shaheen launched in a complete report on the Afghan Particular Immigrant Visa Program final 12 months.

Assist for Girls and Ladies Across the World

Senator Shaheen has been a number one voice within the Senate on international ladies’s points as a result of she acknowledges that empowered ladies construct stronger, extra steady households and communities. The SFOPS invoice contains $600 million in bilateral funding for worldwide household planning help, which might be the primary improve in funding in over a decade. The funding, along with a rise in funds for the United Nations Inhabitants Fund, can be invested in packages that assist the sexual and reproductive well being of ladies. An extra $150 million in funding from the SFOPS invoice might be programmed towards implementing Shaheen’s Girls, Peace and Safety Act, which ensures ladies are included in peace negotiations and battle decision world wide.

Combatting the Substance Use Dysfunction Disaster and Addressing International Well being Care

As Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Associated Businesses (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen routinely funds vital programming to handle the substance use dysfunction epidemic. The FY24 SFOPS invoice absolutely funds the implementation of the FENTANYL Outcomes Act, Shaheen’s laws that was signed into regulation final 12 months, which will increase international cooperation within the combat towards artificial drug trafficking.

Along with combatting substance misuse, Shaheen labored to safe funding to assist well being care initiatives each at residence and overseas. The invoice contains language requiring the Division of State to submit a report back to Congress detailing anomalous well being incidents (AHI) victims’ compensation claims, and any candidates denied funding below the Shaheen-led HAVANA Act. International packages to handle ailments similar to tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria additionally obtained funding within the FY 2024 invoice.

Help to Europe and Supporting Democracy

Because the lead senator for U.S. coverage in the direction of Europe, Shaheen secured much-needed help for European nations who’re on the frontlines within the international combat for democracy. Shaheen secured funding to assist democratic establishments, cyber safety and reform efforts in nations together with Belarus, Georgia and Moldova. Considerably, Senators Shaheen and Durbin labored to incorporate language that urges the Division of State to contemplate conditioning assist to Georgia if inadequate progress is made in advancing democratic reform efforts. Shaheen additionally secured over $850 million in funding for the Help to Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia (AEECA) account.

Senator Shaheen persistently prioritizes constructing and sustaining relationships with allied and companion nations. Within the FY 2024 SFOPS invoice, Shaheen acknowledged NATO’s significance for U.S. nationwide safety and inspired the implementation of the 2022 Strategic Idea, which acknowledged the pacing problem the Folks’s Republic of China poses to the Alliance. Final, Senator Shaheen secured strong funding for the Western Balkans, along with in depth report language regarding democracy, cyber safety and safety. Following the Ohrid Settlement reached by the European Union, Serbia and Kosovo in early 2023 and the following safety disaster affecting the north of Kosovo, Senator Shaheen secured report language which might urge the State Division to contemplate conditioning funds to Kosovo or Serbia if inadequate progress is made in implementing the Settlement.

Selling Democracy Overseas and Reform Oversight

Senator Shaheen is relentless in advocating for democratic values world wide. Shaheen secured $895 million for america Company for International Media (USAGM), which is able to assist fight disinformation campaigns. The Senator additionally supported the inclusion of packages and initiatives to help refugees and civilians from battle zones. This contains report language calling for $4.2 billion in migration and refugee help, strong assist for the United Nations Aid and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), $26.8 million for the Particular Inspector Common for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) and $342.5 million in help for Lebanon, together with $10 million for refugee scholarships, together with assist for democracy and reform initiatives in international locations similar to Tunisia.

Abstract of Shaheen Priorities Included within the Transportation, Housing and City Improvement, and Associated Businesses (THUD) Appropriations Act for Fiscal 12 months 2024:

Investments in Transportation and Different Infrastructure

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Shaheen traditionally secures strong funding for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Fairness (RAISE) grant program, which offers investments in highway, rail, transit and port tasks that promise to realize nationwide aims. This invoice offers $800 million for the RAISE grant program. Lately, the RAISE program supplied $20 million to assist the Common Sullivan Bridge Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing mission in Rockingham and Strafford Counties. Along with floor and water transportation, Shaheen secured funding for much-needed airport infrastructure packages. The funding will assist assist air site visitors management towers, air service for rural communities and the Airport Enchancment Program.

Supporting Inexpensive and Secure Housing

With housing prices on the rise in New Hampshire, Shaheen has been a longstanding supporter of reasonably priced housing and rental help. The invoice offers $31.7 billion for Tenant-Based mostly (Part 8) Rental Help, $1.5 billion greater than FY 2023. Housing Alternative Vouchers are one of the vital federal instruments for housing help. Beneath this system, eligible low-income people and households pay 30 p.c of their adjusted revenue for lease, and the federal authorities makes up the distinction, as much as the honest market lease. The invoice additionally offers $1.5 billion for the HOME Funding Partnerships program, which offers funding to construct and rehabilitate reasonably priced housing.

Different reasonably priced housing packages that obtained funding embody the Neighborhood Improvement Block Grants (CDBG), Supportive Housing for the Aged and Rental Help for Individuals with Disabilities and $30 million to assist these recovering from substance use dysfunction stay stably housed. Moreover, the invoice offers $3.9 billion for Homeless Help Grants, which give funding by way of State and native Continuums of Care to assist handle homelessness.

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