Klobuchar, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Treatment of Pregnant Women in Custody

Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

 Legislation would establish care standards for treatment of pregnant women in custody and ensure access to health care and nutritional services

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the treatment of pregnant women in custody. The Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act would establish care standards for how federal facilities treat pregnant and postpartum women in custody, while ensuring they have access to critical health care and nutritional services. 

“It’s critical that we provide pregnant women in custody with the prenatal and postpartum care they need,” said Klobuchar. “By instituting federal standards for the treatment of pregnant women and ensuring they have reliable access to medical care and appropriate nutrition, our bipartisan legislation will improve the health and safety of these women and their babies.” 

“Incarcerated women deserve access to quality health services, including maternity care, which can help prevent maternal health complications and ensure that newborns have a healthy start in life,” said Collins. “Our bipartisan bill would require prisons to provide appropriate accommodations and resources as well as implement training programs to support expectant mothers.”

The Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act would:

  1. Set care standards for how the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the U.S. Marshall Service (USMS) treat pregnant and postpartum inmates; 
  2. Require federal facilities to provide pregnant inmates access to medical and mental health services as well as education about nutrition, parental rights, and lactation;  
  3. Put limits on when pregnant women can be placed in restrictive housing, and ban the BOP and USMS from placing pregnant women in solitary confinement during the third trimester; 
  4. Require the BOP to evaluate pregnant women to determine if their pregnancy is high-risk and establish requirements for the treatment of women whose pregnancies are high risk;
  5. Authorize research into the health needs of pregnant inmates, including by commissioning a study of state and local protections for pregnant inmates and requiring that data on the number of complaints filed by pregnant inmates be publicly available; and 
  6. Require the BOP and USMS to develop guidelines and training related to housing, transporting, and feeding pregnant women.

Representatives Karen Bass (D-CA) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) lead companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

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Bennet, Hickenlooper Deliver $60 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Arkansas Valley Conduit

Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet

Denver — Today, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed an announcement from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) of the distribution of $60 million in funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the completion of the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), providing Coloradans with a secure and safe supply of water. In July, the senators and U.S. Colorado Representative Ken Buck urged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and BOR to allocate funds from the infrastructure law for the AVC. The Weeminuche Construction Authority, an enterprise of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, has been awarded the contract for this phase of construction of the AVC.

“Sixty years ago, President Kennedy came to Pueblo and promised to build the Arkansas Valley Conduit to deliver clean drinking water to families in Southeastern Colorado. Since I’ve been in  the Senate, I’ve fought to ensure the federal government keeps its word to Colorado and finishes this vital infrastructure project,” said Bennet. “One of the first bills I passed helped to jumpstart and fund construction on the Arkansas Valley Conduit, and with this announcement, we’ve delivered more than $140 million to help complete construction and deliver on this decades-old promise.”

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, long-stalled projects like the Ark Valley Conduit are moving forward. Today, we’re bringing this 60 year project over the finish line,” said Hickenlooper. 

The AVC is a planned 130-mile water-delivery system from the Pueblo Dam to communities throughout the Arkansas River Valley in Southeast Colorado. This funding will expedite the construction timeline for the Conduit and allow for federal drinking water standards to be met more quickly. The Conduit is the final phase of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, which Congress authorized in 1962.

Bennet and Hickenlooper have consistently advocated for increased funding for the AVC. In May, the senators sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the AVC in the FY23 spending bill. In March, Bennet and Hickenlooper helped secure $12 million for the Conduit from the FY22 omnibus bill. Bennet and Hickenlooper will continue working in Washington to ensure communities have the resources needed to complete this vital project for the region.

“We have been working hard to move this project from planning to construction. This announcement follows the first construction contract award, and is a clear indication that the District and Reclamation will continue to partner in this long-time effort to bring clean drinking water to the Lower Arkansas Valley. Our Senators were key to obtaining more than $8 billion for the Bureau in the IIJA, and our delegation’s long-standing bipartisan support along with support from the State of Colorado have put the conduit on Reclamation’s front line for construction,” said Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District board president Bill Long.

“The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and its construction enterprise are honored to be a partner in delivering safe drinking water to the Lower Arkansas Valley. Like other projects Weeminuche Construction Authority has been a part of, the Arkansas Valley Conduit has been a long time coming, but will provide enormous benefit. The infrastructure dollars for the Bureau of Reclamation, making this possible, are a credit to Senator Bennet’s efforts to build support for Western water infrastructure,” said Michael Preston, Board President, Weenuch-u’ Development Corporation of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

“As a regional leader in water issues in southern Colorado, Pueblo Water is proud to help push the Arkansas Valley Conduit forward. Our strong relationship with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other partners helped make it possible for this project to come to fruition. Through this partnership, communities in Southeastern Colorado will have access to clean water faster than thought possible,” said Seth Clayton, Executive Director of Pueblo Water.

Background: 

Prior to this announcement, Bennet has helped secure over $80 million for the AVC.

In 2009, Congress passed legislation written by Bennet and former U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.) to authorize a federal cost share and the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit. Bennet then worked to secure $5 million in federal funding for the project. 

In 2013, Bennet and his colleagues sent a letter to the BOR to quickly approve the Conduit’s Environmental Impact Study (EIS) in order to expedite the project’s completion. In 2014, following Bennet and Udall’s efforts to urge the BOR to quickly approve the Conduit’s EIS, the Record of Decision was signed in February. After President  Obama’s budget included an insufficient level of funding for the project, Bennet led a bipartisan letter urging the administration and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to allow the Conduit’s construction to move ahead as planned. Bennet successfully urged the Department of Interior to designate $2 million in reprogrammed funding from FY14 for the Conduit. Bennet secured language in the FY15 Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act that sent a clear signal to the BOR that the Conduit should be a priority project. 

In 2016, Bennet secured $2 million from the BOR’s reprogrammed funding for FY16, after the project had initially received only $500,000. Bennet then secured $3 million for the AVC as part of the FY17 spending bill. Bennet secured $3 million for the Conduit for FY19.

In April 2019, Bennet and former U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) wrote to then-Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Feinstein, urging them to provide funding for the Conduit. Bennet, Gardner, former U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Colo.), and Buck wrote to the Department of the Interior urging the Department to support the project. Bennet secured approximately $10 million each year for the Conduit in the FY19 and FY20 spending bills. In 2020, Bennet welcomed $28 million from the BOR to begin construction on the AVC to help bring clean drinking water to Colorado communities. He secured $11 million for the AVC in FY21. He joined the ground breaking in October 2020.

Portman Applauds $8.4 Million in ARC POWER Grants to Communities Across Ohio

Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman

October 17, 2022 | Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) applauded the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for awarding over $8.4 million in POWER grants to communities around Ohio. POWER grants are a congressionally funded initiative that targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production. These funds will give these entities the ability to support Ohio communities in their effort to utilize the economic development of that area.  

“These ARC POWER grants are great news for Ohio. This much-needed funding will help ensure that towns and communities across our state have the resources they need to address emerging infrastructure needs, expand broadband in underserved areas, and bolster workforce training – leading to increased economic development in the Appalachia region,” said Senator Portman.

The following entities received grants:

  • Carroll County: $1,999,000 to build out broadband services in underserved areas of Carroll County
  • Rural Action, Inc.: $1,500,000 for their Appalachian RESILIENCEY (Restoring our Environment, Supporting and Investing Long-term in EcoNomies and Careers for Youth) program
  • Economic and Community Development Institute: $1,500,000 for their rePOWERing Main Streets: Fostering Entrepreneurship Across Appalachia program
  • Access Tusc: Bridges to Wellness Pathways Hub: $1,381,028 for their workforce training program REACH: Rural Employment Advocating for Community Health
  • Youngstown State University: $1,154,880 for the YSU broadband and 5G readiness program
  • Washington State Community College: $803,698 to help expand the nursing workforce in Appalachia
  • Ohio University: $50,000 for their FlyOhio program, planning for advanced air mobility in Ohio’s Appalachian region
  • Appalachian Ohio Manufacturer’s Coalition: $50,000 for career and technical education planning
  • Western Reserve Port Authority: $49,970 for a Trumbull County broadband preliminary engineering study

 NOTE: Portman sent letters of support on behalf of Carroll County and Youngstown State University to ARC’s Federal Co-Chair Tim Thomas.

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Sens. Moran, Tester Push to Expand VA Telehealth Services for Rural Veterans

Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

WASHINGTON – On the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act (Hannon Act), U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – ranking member and chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) – today urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expedite its efforts to establish a telehealth grant and access point program to better care for rural veterans as directed under the law.

The senators’ bipartisan Hannon Act, signed into law on October 17th, 2020, required the VA to increase the number of locations where VA telehealth care is available at non-VA facilities through a grant funding program.

While not a replacement for in-person care in every situation, telehealth is essential for reaching veterans in rural and remote areas and who live far distances from the nearest VA facility,” the senators wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “Telehealth has become an even more important care option during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing VA to safely provide routine care to veterans without needing to travel…Given the unprecedented increase in telehealth demand and the historic level of investment in VA telehealth funding, we are concerned VA has yet to publish a proposed rule to enact the telehealth grants program from the Hannon Act.”

Sens. Moran and Tester further highlighted how the new grant program would allow non-VA facilities, including Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), nonprofits or businesses, to become a telehealth access point for local veterans living in rural or remote areas to receive care closer to home. VSOs in particular have been consistent supporters of increasing telehealth access for veterans in rural and remote areas and would be able to utilize the program to help bolster veterans’ access to care.

“Please provide an update on the status of the telehealth grant program development, steps taken to expedite implementation, and a timeline for VA to publish a proposed rule, final rule, and award grants in accordance with Section 701 of the Hannon Act,” the senators continued. “VA must take action to ensure veterans in rural and remote areas have timely and convenient access to care and telehealth services.”

Read the senators’ full letter HERE.

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Rubio, Scott, Waltz Urge Congressional Leadership to Protect Florida’s Waters & Gulf Test Range

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Florida’s Gulf Test Range, located in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the United States military’s most important testing and training areas. That is why the area has been protected by various policies and regulations since 1983, and Congress codified protections in 2006.
 
Democrats want to change that. Buried in their $749 billion reckless climate and tax bill was a provision to strip previous protections and open the door to the construction of offshore wind turbines in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. 
 
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) are urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to prohibit energy exploration and development east of the Military Mission Line in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).   
 
U.S. Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL), Carlos Giménez (R-FL), John Rutherford (R-FL), Mario Díaz Balart (R-FL), Bill Posey (R-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Daniel Webster (R-FL), and Kat Cammack (R-FL) also signed the letter.
 

  • “We write with the gravest possible concern about the national security implications of allowing offshore energy leasing and development east of the Military Mission Line in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (EGOM).” 

 

  • “In 2020, President Trump extended the protections for the Gulf Test Range…, providing certainty that the range would continue to serve U.S. national security needs. Unfortunately, the Inflation Reduction Act stripped that protection and opens the door to offshore wind development in the Gulf Test Range.”

 
Last month… Rubio and Scott introduced standalone legislation to prohibit energy exploration and development east of the Military Mission Line. Waltz introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 
 
For the record… Rubio has long protected Florida’s natural resources from the threat of offshore oil and gas drilling. His advocacy achieved a major victory in September 2020 when then-President Trump signed an Executive Order to extend the moratorium on oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Florida to 2032. Rubio introduced the American Shores Protection Act to codify the moratorium. 
 
The full text of the letter is below. 
 
Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Republican Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy:
 
We write with the gravest possible concern about the national security implications of allowing offshore energy leasing and development east of the Military Mission Line in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (EGOM). In 2006, Congress passed the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) which prohibited oil and gas exploration and development, among other places, east of the Military Mission Line in the EGOM. In 2020, President Trump extended the protections for the Gulf Test Range by using his authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to withdraw the submerged lands of the test range from consideration for energy leasing or development, providing certainty that the range would continue to serve U.S. national security needs. Unfortunately, the Inflation Reduction Act stripped that protection and opens the door to offshore wind development in the Gulf Test Range.
 
Energy development in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico would catastrophically jeopardize the Gulf Test Range, which is crucial to our readiness for a fight in the Indo-Pacific. According to a report required by the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act:
 
           The eastern Gulf of Mexico is an irreplaceable national asset… the unique capabilities present in the region have been developed over decades through the investment of billions of taxpayer dollars and countless hours of effort by federal, state, and private organizations and local citizens. No other area in the world provides the U.S. military with ready access to a highly instrumented, network-connected, surrogate environment for military operations in the… Indo-Pacific Theater. … No other area offers the DoD a comparable combination of air space, water space, and existing infrastructure to support military activities.
 
In discussions with experts in the Air Force on what allowing wind development in the Gulf Test Range would do to our testing capabilities, one individual stated that this was a “break-glass-in-case-of-emergency situation.” The immediate and long-lasting national security impact of allowing exploration and development of wind energy inside the Gulf Test Range demands immediate Congressional action to protect the Gulf Test Range.
 
We must reinstate the moratorium on energy leasing and development east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico. As such, we introduced legislation and will seek to include language to protect our military asset in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. We urge you to join us in protecting the critical capabilities the Gulf Test Range provides.                    
 
Sincerely,

Rubio, Menendez To Introduce Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Growing gang violence has brought Haiti’s economy to a halt amid ongoing security and humanitarian crises. Rather than being brought to justice, many gangs receive support from political and economic elites in Haiti.

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) announced plans to introduce the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2022, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to require the U.S. Department of State to investigate and provide Congress with annual reports identifying the relationships between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti. The bill would require the President to impose robust sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals identified in the reports in order to hold these criminal gangs, as well as their elite backers, accountable. 

U.S. Representative Val Demings (D-FL) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is an original cosponsor of the Senate version.  

  • “Violent gangs, an outburst of cholera, and an unstable government are making the humanitarian crisis in Haiti worse by the day. Haitians will continue to suffer as long as gang members continue to be propped up and protected by corrupt government officials. Holding these bad actors accountable is the first step to addressing the complex crisis Haiti is facing.” — Senator Rubio 

  • “I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in introducing this bicameral legislation not only to shed light on the devastating gang violence in Haiti but also signal our commitment to hold bad actors to account regardless of their status. There is a growing body of evidence of Haiti’s armed criminal gangs’ gross violations of human rights, drug trafficking and racketeering schemes, all of which have ushered in a new era of terror exacerbating the island’s significant economic, security, and humanitarian challenges. It is time for both Haiti’s gangs and their financiers and political backers to face more consequences for threatening Haiti’s future and broader hemispheric stability.” — Senator Menendez

  • “The people of Haiti have long suffered at the hands of criminal gangs and their backers. This legislation targets these individuals who perpetuate unspeakable violence against the Haitian people, and the powerful public figures who deploy these gangs for their own benefit. Exposing the connections between these individuals is an important step towards transparency, accountability, and justice for the Haitian people.” — Senator Kaine  

  • “Governments must protect their citizens. I introduced this legislation in the House last week because we must fight for a Haiti free from fear and gang violence, where the Haitian people have the safety and freedom to build their own future. We need to root out the bad actors behind Haiti’s lawlessness and hold them accountable. After the brazen assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, killings and kidnappings have soared, with the backing of Haitian political and economic elites. The United States must take concrete steps to hold these criminals accountable and help the Haitian people achieve stability, freedom, human rights, and democracy.” — Representative Demings

Durbin Announces $600,000 For Expansion of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Services At Swedish Hospital

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

10.17.22

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Swedish Hospital to discuss the $600,000 Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that will allow them to expand and strengthen their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program. The SANE program supports victims of sexual assault by enhancing best practice care and forensic evidence collection, supporting the recruitment and retention of nurse examiners, strengthening the community response to sexual assault, and creating awareness of sexual assault based on trauma-informed principles.  With this grant, Swedish Hospital will help other hospitals within the NorthShore University HealthSystem develop and expand their SANE programs.

“After a traumatic event, survivors of sexual assault deserve care from qualified nurses who specialize in treating these cases,” said Durbin. “This federal investment will allow Swedish Hospital to expand this critical program, giving survivors the tools they need to heal and rebuild their lives. I’ll keep working to ensure that the federal government continues expanding access to trauma-informed care for sexual assault survivors.” 

At Swedish Hospital, SANEs are part of the hospital’s Pathways program, which works to respond to patients impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.  Now in its seventh year, more than 1,900 survivors have been assisted and more than 2,500 medical providers and staff have received training by Swedish Hospital through this program.

Signed into law in March, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act included the Supporting Access to Nurse Exams (SANE) Act that Durbin co-led. This provision of the VAWA reauthorization: (1) helps increase access to SANEs in areas lacking them; (2) authorizes funding for the training of new SANEs; (3) encourages the development of high-quality SANE training programs; and (4) provides for collaboration between forensic service providers and sexual assault advocates.

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Shaheen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Release of LIHEAP Home Heating Aid

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

October 17, 2022

Bipartisan Coalition of 31 Senators urge Biden administration to swiftly make LIHEAP funds available to states

(Washington, DC) – With colder weather around the corner and global energy costs projected to rise this winter, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a letter with a bipartisan coalition of 31 U.S. Senators urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. LIHEAP funds New Hampshire’s Fuel Assistance Program.

The Senators, led by Senators Reed (D-RI) and Collins (R-ME), wrote that the federal LIHEAP funding is a crucial lifeline that assists low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes pay their energy bills and stay safe during the winter.

Shaheen supported the inclusion of $1 billion in emergency funding for the program in the short-term government funding legislation that President Biden signed into law last month. Under the law, HHS will also be able to advance states funding equal to 90 percent of their FY 2022 allocation. In addition to this $1 billion in emergency funding, the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding proposal includes $4 billion for LIHEAP, which is an increase of $200 million over FY 2022.

“Given the alarming increase in energy costs that is forecast for this winter, we worked to secure an additional $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP in the recently enacted short-term CR. It is critical that this funding, as well as the significant base funding available under the CR, is distributed as quickly as possible so it reaches these households in time for the winter heating season,” the 31 Senators wrote. 

On top of the $900 million in LIHEAP funds allocated through the CARES Act in 2020, Shaheen worked to secure $4.5 billion for LIHEAP in the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law in March 2021 and provided $35,498,757 to New Hampshire. Senator Shaheen also used her role on appropriations and as a lead negotiator for the bipartisan infrastructure bill to push to increase LIHEAP funding for Granite State families, leading to the highest total of LIHEAP funding ever received in a 12-month period in New Hampshire history. Following the June announcement of electric rate increases approved by New Hampshire’s Public Utilities Commission, the New Hampshire Delegation urged the state to use the remaining funding secured in the American Rescue Plan to provide financial assistance to help Granite Staters afford their home energy bills.  

LIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies.  Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2023 — or until the funding is exhausted.

In addition to Shaheen, Reed and Collins, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Angus King, Jr. (I-ME), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM).

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Senators Shaheen, Coons Introduce Legislation that Ensures Small Business Access to Loans

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

October 17, 2022

The SBA 504 loan program, which provides fixed rate financing for major investments, went briefly offline last year

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, introduced legislation to ensure that American small businesses have access to low-cost, fixed-rate, long-term loans. The 504 Loan Availability Act will prevent the Small Business Administration (SBA) CDC/504 loan program from becoming temporarily unavailable near the end of each fiscal year, and help guarantee that small businesses can invest in themselves and grow. The bill provides flexibility by combining the authorization of regular 504 loans and 504 refinancing loans under a single authorization cap. Combining these authorizations—without increasing the overall authorization level—will help prevent either program from hitting its cap partway through the fiscal year and becoming temporarily unavailable until the new fiscal year begins.

“The 504 loan program is one of the premier tools available for small businesses to access patient capital to invest and expand operations,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’ve long fought for increased flexibility for this program, including allowing borrowers to refinance existing 504 loans, and this simple fix will ensure these critical programs remain available to small businesses for years to come, under a variety of market conditions.”

“Small businesses form the backbone of American manufacturing, and when they have reliable access to capital to grow their operations, they strengthen our economy, create good-paying jobs, and expand production right here in America,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Shaheen to ensure that there are no further interruptions to the 504 program so that business owners nationwide can be confident in this reliable source of affordable financing.”

“The 504 Loan Availability Act will have a significant impact in New Hampshire and across the country by providing better access to capital for growing small businesses.  We applaud Senators Shaheen and Coons for their diligent work supporting small businesses,” said Scott Gardiner, President & CEO of Granite State Development Corporation.

The SBA 504 Certified Development Company Loan program provides SBA-backed loans for applicants that might not qualify for conventional financing and conserves working capital by requiring only a 10 percent borrower contribution.  Certified Development Companies (CDCs) are SBA-authorized nonprofit corporations that work with third-party lenders to promote economic development within their communities through 504 loans. 504 loans feature 10, 20 or 25 year terms and below-market fixed interest rates. Loan amounts are generally capped at $5 million, though certain eligible energy-efficient or manufacturing projects may qualify for up to $5.5 million each.

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Capito, Manchin Announce More than $14 Million in ARC POWER Grants

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced 15 Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) grants totaling $14,716,938 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

“As the ranking member of the committee that oversees ARC, I know how critical the POWER program is to strengthening coal communities across our state,” Ranking Member Capito said. “The grants announced today will support a range of local awardees focused on everything from broadband expansion, which my committee included specific language for in the ARC’s reauthorization, to workforce development. I’m looking forward to the benefits West Virginia’s counties, cities, and towns will see as a result.”

“The Appalachian Regional Commission’s continued investment in revitalizing and strengthening Appalachia is great news for our state and the entire region. The funding announced today will help expand high-speed broadband access, bolster our agricultural industry and create new economic opportunity for West Virginians across the state,” Senator Manchin said. “Investing in our local communities creates good-paying jobs and spurs economic growth, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these projects for the Mountain State.”

Individual awardees and project titles:

  • Summers County Commission: Summers County Broadband Expansion Project – $2,400,000
  • Boone County Community & Economic Development Corporation: Rock Creek Development Park Broadband Project – $1,692,507
  • Region 4 Planning & Development Council: Creating WV’s Largest Maple Syrup, Mushroom, Field, and Floriculture Production Systems – $1,500,000
  • Grow Ohio Valley, Inc.: Wheeling Food Ventures: Small Farm and Food Business Acceleration in the Ohio Valley – $1,500,000
  • Region 4 Planning & Development Council: Turning Coal to Gold: Boosting the Outdoor Economy through the Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center – $1,500,000
  • Marshall University Research Corporation: West Virginia Grant Resource Centers – $1,500,000
  • Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative: Seeing West Virginia’s Future Through a Different Lens – $1,499,998
  • Connec Train Corp: Data Cabling & Fiber Optic Installation Training Program – $1,370,039
  • Marshall University Research Corporation: Career Opportunities for Appalachian Legacy (C.O.A.L.) – $1,118,814
  • Bluefield Economic Development Authority: BEDA Food Truck Incubator Project – $400,000
  • City of Elkins: EAST Trail Master Plan – $50,000
  • Fahe, Inc.: Fahe West Virginia Workforce Alliance – $50,000
  • West Virginia University Research Corporation: Workforce Development Roadmap: Re-Training for Electric Utility and Other Energy Sector Jobs, Pre-Apprenticeship to Job Placement – $50,000
  • Augusta Levy Learning Center (ALLC): Workforce & Education Development for Applied Behavior Analysis – $50,000
  • Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.: West Virginia Historic Preservation Training Center – $35,580

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