I never ran into a State DOT director who didn't want more formula money.

I am thankful for the Biden administration's work on expanding discretionary funding opportunities.

The law provides record-breaking funding for critical infrastructure projects.

Providing funding for intercity passenger rail projects was one of Congress's major objectives when it enacted CRISI.

This represents 30 percent of the total funding provided by the IIJA.

Congress provided 30 percent of this amount, about $196 billion, to be distributed through 72 competitive grant programs.

I think it would be good food, good thought here to--would you get back with me and let me know about these grants and how many of those grants, these grants that people are applying for, are going to the 509 counties?

the actual increase of the formula distribution in IIJA was not even enough to fully cover the cost of inflation.

The IIJA has provided more money for infrastructure of all kinds, including transportation, than ever, ever before in the history of this Government.

it is a Trojan horse that undermines Fish and Wildlife funding.

Would you rather have $1.3 billion of guaranteed funding every year, or $320 million in discretionary authorizations, which is not guaranteed, for 5 years and then it sunsets?

Congress dedicate up to $1.3 billion annually in existing revenue from the development of energy and mineral resources on Federal lands and waters to the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program.

The moral of the story here is this bill would pull back hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for wildlife and habitat conservation.

RAWA would allocate nearly $1.4 billion annually, and permanent mandatory funding for state and tribal fish and wildlife management agencies.

I think under RAWA you would have about $13 million a year, but you probably have the potential to generate $30 or $40 million a year to do wildlife management where you don't have something like a timber resource to pay it back.

To be clear, that is not exactly true. This bill doesn't invest anything because it doesn't appropriate any additional money.

There is millions of dollars left on the table that families and kids need.

We appreciate your attention to the matter, and we hope that Congress continues to fund this essential grant program.