WASHINGTON, DC – Early this morning, the Senate passed the final part of a 6-bill “minibus” that will avert a government shutdown and fund key projects across Pennsylvania. This bill cleared the Senate by a 74-24 vote and will be sent to the president to be signed into law this afternoon.
“Any day that we get to bring millions of federal dollars back to Pennsylvania communities is a good day.” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m so proud to have advocated for and secured funding to expand affordable housing options for Pennsylvania families, enhance health care services throughout the commonwealth, and support programs that lift workers up into better-paying jobs. This is what it’s all about: delivering direct investments to benefit Pennsylvania families across the commonwealth.”
Senator Fetterman, in partnership with Senator Casey and his House colleagues, successfully secured over $117 million in funding for Congressionally Directed Spending to fund 99 projects spanning 41 counties across Pennsylvania. Of these 99 projects, Fetterman personally secured $30,407,000 in funding for a third of them, spanning 21 counties. Examples of projects supported by Fetterman include:
Building Affordable Housing in Pennsylvania
- $2 million for the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Preservation and Rehabilitation Project to develop 123 affordable housing units in Lackawanna County.
- $1 million for the Abigail Pankey Apartments to construct a 32-unit affordable housing complex using an innovative Community Land Trust model in Philadelphia. This project also received support from Senator Casey and Representative Dwight Evans.
Upgrading Local Infrastructure
- $3,661,000 to Darlington Township for Public Drinking Water Infrastructure in response to community concerns of well water contamination stemming from the Norfolk Southern derailment last February. This project also received support from Senator Casey and Representative Chris Deluzio.
- $3.5 million for the Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project to restore and upgrade the levee’s electronics and pump station. This project also received support from Senator Casey and Representative Dan Meuser.
- $1 million for the Allegheny Airport Project 91 to provide additional infrastructure to support future growth of the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s additive manufacturing campus.
Supporting First Responders & Public Services
- $1 million for renovations to the Clarion County Courthouse to enhance the safety of county employees and the public and make the courthouse more energy efficient.
- $1,996,000 for the Spangler Fire Company Energy Independent Fire Station Project to renovate a century old fire house in Cambria County, proving geothermal powered HVAC and solar powered electricity to first responders. This project also received support from Senator Casey and Representative John Joyce.
- $514,000 for Wilkinsburg Police Department Equipment Upgrades to replace outdated body cameras being used by the department. This project also received support from Senator Casey and Representative Chris Deluzio.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
- $1,516,000 for Liberty Resources Inc., PA, to support services for individuals with disabilities, providing tailored health care services to folks with disabilities in Philadelphia.
- $1 million for Berks Community Health Center, PA, to stand up a new community health center in downtown Reading to serve low-income residents with culturally competent health care. This project also received support from Senator Casey.
Helping Working Families & Youth
- $1 million for a Childcare Center in Pocono Family YMCA Community Centerto make additions to the Pocono Family YMCA Community Center and expand availability of affordable childcare services in Monroe County.
- $1 million for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Regionto expand mentorship and programming to select middle schools in Philadelphia, to reduce likelihood of youth engaging in violent activity and to support victims of violent crime.
Uplifting PA Workers and Expanding Education Access
- $1.5 million for United Mine Workers of America Career Centers, Inc. to help recruit, retrain, and place 150 people who used to work in the coal industry into new manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania. This project also received support from Senator Casey.
- $2.5 million providing Equipment for String-Level Testing and to Establish the First Fully-Serviced Heavy Haul Battery Testing Center in the United States allowing for battery testing of heavy-duty vehicle batteries – a unique capability for students and researchers at the Penn State Behrend Campus.