Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) today unveiled details of a $56.2 billion economic stimulus package. The package would include about $16 billion in infrastructure investment. It is uncertain at this time whether the Senate will consider the Democratic proposal. AGC supports the construction components of the stimulus bill.
Below are the highlights:
- Corps of Engineers. The second stimulus includes $500 million, of which $200 million is directed for the rehabilitation of Corps’ hydropower plants nearing the end of their design life. $100 million in funding is included for dredging of channels and to partially address the backlog of construction work at Corps of Engineers, flood control, environmental restoration, and navigation projects nationwide. An additional $200 million for the Corps will be used to fund work that can be immediately awarded to provide jobs in the construction industry across the country.
- Bureau of Reclamation Energy Stimulus Work. $50 million for the rehabilitation of some Bureau of Reclamation hydropower plants that are nearing the end of their design life.
- The bill includes $600 million for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides funding to States for low-cost loans to make local sewer projects affordable.
- Rural Utilities & Community Facilities. The stimulus includes $792 million in loans and grants for essential rural community facilities, including hospitals, health clinics, health and safety vehicles and equipment, public buildings, and child and elder care facilities. The bill includes $200 million in budget authority that will support over $500 million in loans and grants for needed water and waste disposal facilities in remote rural areas.
- Additional Highway Funding. The Committee bill includes $8 billion for highway investments. Funding from the general fund would be sent by formula to every State in order to improve deficient roads and bridges.
- Public Transportation. The bill includes $2 billion for transit agencies to address capital and operating needs.
- Investing in Amtrak. The bill includes $350 million to fund capital projects along Amtrak’s corridors, including funding to rehabilitate inactive rolling stock.
- Airport Investments. The Committee bill includes $400 million for capital improvements to airports across the country. These funds would support projects that are ready to begin construction immediately.
- Funding for Small Shipyards. The bill includes $44 million for grants to assist small shipyards across the country and make the capital improvements necessary to fortify the competitiveness of our domestic shipbuilding industry by improving its efficiency, cost effectiveness, and the quality of domestic ship construction for commercial and Federal Government use.
- Economic Development Administration (EDA) Economic Adjustment Assistance. The bill includes $50 million for EDA economic adjustment grants to assist communities to recover from sudden and severe economic dislocation and massive job losses due to corporate restructuring.
- School Repair and Renovation. The stimulus includes $2 billion for an emergency public school renovation and repair program.
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bill provides $100 million to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for construction at CBP-owned inspection facilities at land border ports of entry.
- General Services Administration. The stimulus also includes $201 million for construction and repair/alteration of border stations (land ports of entry) to help address the backlog of these facilities.
- Consolidating Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Headquarters. The stimulus includes $466 million for DHS to begin construction of a consolidated headquarters in Washington, D.C.