WASHINGTON
– U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee, announced the Indian Health Service (IHS) awarded $57,715,390 from
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to North Dakota tribes to
improve water and sanitation systems.
“Tribes
know best what their communities need and this funding from the bipartisan
infrastructure law is a much-needed investment to improve their water and
sanitation systems,” said Senator Cramer.
The
bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes:
- $413.5 billion for roads, highways, and bridges
including $2 billion for North Dakota.
- 50% increase over the next five years in contract
authority for the North Dakota Department of Transportation ($125 million
more per year above current levels).
- $225 million is set aside for North Dakota to improve
and upgrade bridge infrastructure.
- $66 billion for passenger and freight rail.
- This investment is in addition to Senate Commerce
Committee’s $78 billion Surface Transportation Investment Act which the
committee passed earlier this year with strong bipartisan support.
- $65 billion for broadband grants to states for the
expansion of broadband infrastructure.
- $47.2 billion for cybersecurity and flood and drought
mitigation.
- $18 billion for carbon capture technology and reliable,
emission-free nuclear power.
- $16 billion for ports and waterways.
- $11 billion for highway safety programs and pipeline
repair.
- $2 billion grant program set aside for rural
communities.
- A new apprenticeship program to allow 18-year-olds with
Commercial Driver’s Licenses to drive across state lines, which will help
address the severe shortage of truck drivers and requisite supply chain
problems.
The bipartisan bill includes methods for paying for the increased spending
without raising taxes on the American people, such as repurposing $210 billion
in funds previously authorized for COVID-19 relief. Click
here for a summary of the bill.
