The transportation funding bill authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) moved out of committee Tuesday.
Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was one of the authors of the (FY) 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill, which has broad, bipartisan input and support.
The bill will now go to Conference Committee before heading to the House and Senate floors for a vote.
Collins said the funding bill includes provisions to move forward on critical infrastructure improvements for her home state.
“Improving Maine infrastructure is essential to moving our economy forward,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I have secured more than $747 million in competitive grants to enhance our transportation network. This legislation would build on those investments by funding projects that will enhance safety and create jobs in communities across the state.”
The bill provides $74.8 billion in new funding, $561 million more than last year. Included in the bill are $1 billion for BUILD grants, which provide federal assistance for transportation projects across the country; $46.4 billion for Federal-aid highways from the Highway Trust Fund, consistent with the recent extension of the FAST Act; $18 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration with increased funding for aviation safety; and $2 billion for Amtrak.
Collins became a member of the Appropriations Committee in 2009 and stepped into the role of chairman in 2015. She is also a member of the powerful Defense; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Agriculture; Energy and Water; and Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittees.