House Passes Surface Transportation Bill with Slotkin's Michigan Projects
Press Release
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the INVEST in America Act, the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill which allocates hundreds of billions of dollars for critical infrastructure improvement projects in states like Michigan. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin successfully advocated for 10 related projects in Michigan's 8th District, all of which were included in the bill and passed by the House. The legislation now heads to the Senate.
On Thursday, Slotkin also worked to advance an amendment to the bill that would ensure taxpayer dollars go towards critical projects like improving commuter rail and bus systems, and not lower priority projects like landscaping and art in public transit centers. Other Democratic members blocked that amendment.
"Michiganders understand how urgently we need once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, and this bill helps us meet that need," said Slotkin. "The projects in the 8th District I fought to include in this bill range from traffic signal replacements to road improvements and reconstruction. These projects will have a significant impact in our communities and create jobs across Mid-Michigan, and I'm thrilled they've all been passed in the House bill. I'll continue to advocate for these projects as the Senate considers the bill.
"At the same time, we have an obligation to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. That's why I pushed for an amendment to this bill to make sure federal money goes to the projects that will have the most direct benefit for everyday Michiganders. Before we allocate funding to landscaping and public art, we have to make sure our most critical transportation needs are met. Even though we came up short with that amendment this time, I'll keep fighting for taxpayer-funded investments to be efficient and fiscally responsible."
The infrastructure projects Slotkin pushed to fund through the bill include various infrastructure improvements in Lansing, East Lansing, Mason, Howell, Williamston and Orion Township.
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