Veronica Escobar: “My amendment highlights the importance of the Thriving Communities Program within the Department of Transportation…”

“My amendment highlights the importance of the Thriving Communities Program within the Department of Transportation, which my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have struck funding for. The Biden-Harris administration launched the much-needed program in 2022 to prepare State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to better access Federal funding for their communities. This program is intended to help provide technical assistance to underresourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver on transportation, housing, and other much-needed community revitalization opportunities. It is unfortunate to see that my colleagues on the other side have eliminated this program, which helps communities in their own districts. Not only does the program provide technical assistance, but it also provides grant and financial management support, predevelopment assistance, community engagement, planning, and project delivery support. With historical funding provided by the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, it has been a priority for the Biden- Harris administration to ensure Federal investments that tackle climate, clean energy, and transportation initiatives are equitably distributed to economically disadvantaged communities as well as rural communities.…”