WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, announced the Indian Health Service (IHS) awarded $57,715,390 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to North Dakota tribes to improve water and sanitation systems.
“Tribes know best what their communities need and this funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law is a much-needed investment to improve their water and sanitation systems,” said Senator Cramer.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes:
• $413.5 billion for roads, highways, and bridges including $2 billion for North Dakota.
o 50% increase over the next five years in contract authority for the North Dakota Department of Transportation ($125 million more per year above current levels).
o $225 million is set aside for North Dakota to improve and upgrade bridge infrastructure.
• $66 billion for passenger and freight rail.
o This investment is in addition to Senate Commerce Committee’s $78 billion Surface Transportation Investment Act which the committee passed earlier this year with strong bipartisan support.
• $65 billion for broadband grants to states for the expansion of broadband infrastructure.
• $47.2 billion for cybersecurity and flood and drought mitigation.
• $18 billion for carbon capture technology and reliable, emission-free nuclear power.
• $16 billion for ports and waterways.
• $11 billion for highway safety programs and pipeline repair.
• $2 billion grant program set aside for rural communities.
• A new apprenticeship program to allow 18-year-olds with Commercial Driver’s Licenses to drive across state lines, which will help address the severe shortage of truck drivers and requisite supply chain problems.
The bipartisan bill includes methods for paying for the increased spending without raising taxes on the American people, such as repurposing $210 billion in funds previously authorized for COVID-19 relief. Click here for a summary of the bill.
