Dem lawmakers in Washington bring home the bacon

Democratic lawmakers in Washington are bringing more pork home to New York City than a royal pig roast.

The money is coming from two sources – the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, which the Senate was expected to pass Sunday; and the recently passed House bill (H.R. 4502), which is a package of seven earmarked appropriation bills making investments in federal programs and initiatives including infrastructure, education, small business and job opportunity.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said the state will be getting a total of $89.9 billion, with $20 billion going toward highway funding and nearly $1 billion will go towards airports including roughly $295 million for JFK Airport and $150 million for LaGuardia Airport.

The bulk of the funding will be headed towards rail projects, as $59 billion is being allocated to projects such as Amtrak national network and modernizing the Northeast Corridor. The MTA will be receiving at least $10.7B.

“The bipartisan infrastructure deal will be a record building and jobs boon for critical New York needs from Massena to Massapequa, and everywhere in between,” said Schumer. “Whether it’s the needs of the MTA, projects like Gateway, the Second Avenue subway, the East River Tunnels, Penn Access and others, this deal represents massive investments that will rebuild and revive the Empire State’s infrastructure. From clean drinking water to upgraded sewer to repairing bridges and subway tunnels, there is more work to be done, but billions are on the way to move on it, create good jobs and advance critical projects.”

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) was able to secure $86.5 million for New York’s 5th Congressional District. The bill will provide $44.8 million funding for schools, $26.2 million in funding for veteran’s healthcare and $367,000 in job training in the district.

“This package of bills continues our progress to invest in America and includes provisions to help New York City and State build back better. New York City was the epicenter of the pandemic with my district being one of the hardest-hit areas and this funding is essential to reviving our economy,” said Meeks.

The House also passed nine community projects in New York’s 14th congressional district proposed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens/Bronx). This includes $100,000 towards a college access program, $175,000 towards a home health aide training program, and $3 million towards renovating obstetrical inpatient facilities renovation.

U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (Brooklyn/Queens/Manhattan) was able to secure funding for several projects for New York’s Congressional District 7. These projects range from youth education initiatives to creating jobs that fight climate change.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a deep toll on our most vulnerable communities, it was especially important that in crafting this bill, we made sure federal dollars reach the organizations and initiatives on the ground that are helping to support working families,” said Velazquez.