Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted to invest in Alabama families and the American economy with government funding legislation for Fiscal Year 2023. This legislation will support our neighbors and families, create good-paying jobs, and protect Alabamians’ health and well-being. Within this package, Rep. Sewell secured millions in funding for local community projects in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. It will now make its way to the U.S. Senate.

“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 Rep. 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.”

Rep. Sewell secured funding for the following local community projects in the FY2023 government funding which passed the House today:

• $4,000,000 for Blight Removal in Montgomery - The funding would be used to redevelop blighted properties within the City of Montgomery with the intention 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 for 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. This much needed restoration is important because the church is a significant part of the Civil Rights movement story.
• $6,800,000 for a F-35 Weapons Load Crew Training Facility at the Montgomery Regional Airport Base - 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.

As a whole, this government funding package will secure critical investments in a range of key priorities for Alabama communities:

• Creating Good-Paying Jobs by upgrading Alabama’s roads, bridges, public transit, rail, airports and water infrastructure.
• Combating the Climate Crisis by expanding renewable energy, strengthening local resilience against extreme weather and spurring new, innovative technology.
• Bolstering Alabama Health and Economic Security by investing in federal nutrition programs, Alabama small businesses, stronger consumer protection and expanded affordable housing.
• Honoring our Service Members by investing in VA health care, military housing, child care for military families and mental health services.
• Strengthening our Nation’s Food Supply by supporting Alabama farmers, expanding agricultural research and investing in land conservation. 

Interior and Environment

• $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 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 EPA, including $126 million to advance work related to PFAS, $5.18 billion for State and Tribal Assistance Grants, and $301 million for Environmental Justice.

Transportation and Housing and Urban Development

• $62.7 billion for 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 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. 

Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration

• $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 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 FDA to combat the opioid crisis, stem food outbreaks, and address heavy metals in baby food

Energy and Water Development

• $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

Financial Services and General Government

• $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

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs

• $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 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.