Gwen Moore: “I thank the chairmen for their leadership, vision, and work on this bill. It must be our priority to ensure needed…”

“I thank the chairmen for their leadership, vision, and work on this bill. It must be our priority to ensure needed infrastructure investments promote equity to help address the myriad environmental injustices experienced by minority, Tribal, and low-income communities. For this reason, I was happy to join forces with the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crow) to offer an amendment which ensures underserved and disadvantaged communities are not left behind as we make the electric vehicle transition. I also want to thank Chairman DeFazio for the strong equity-focused investments in this package, such as the new reduced fare for the low- income riders demonstration grant program and changes to the transit formula to require transit agencies to better serve transit-dependent populations. I am pleased that my amendment to this package, which would increase the funding set-aside for low- and moderate-income communities under the Zero Emission Bus Grant Program, is included. Finally, providing equitable access to electric charging infrastructure and substantial public transit funding helps build equity into our Nation's transportation options and will help address the climate hazards that must remain a priority for this administration and Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge the body to support this bill.”