Final Budget Bill Passes House, Includes $31.5 Million in Local Projects for Second Congressional District

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Troy A. Carter voted to pass the appropriations package to fund the government by providing critical services and lowering costs for American families.

Along with seven community projects allocating $17.5 million that he previously announced, the final version of the budget also included $14 million for two sewer and water management projects in New Orleans, resulting in a total of $31.5 million in direct community funding for Louisiana’s Second Congressional District.

The final two project allocations are as follows:

• $6 million to the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans for wastewater and stormwater improvement.
• $8 million for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for New Gravity Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Project.

“I am incredibly pleased to vote for this transformational budget that includes a total $31.5 million in Community Project Funding that I know will have a profound impact on Louisiana’s Second Congressional District,” said Congressman Carter. “Along with investing in our critical water management infrastructure, these funds will support underserved areas and foster economic development, making a real difference in the lives of so many in our community. I am proud to have fought for funding that will make our community healthier, safer, stronger, and even more resilient.”

Earlier today, Congressman Troy Carter announced the other seven projects funded at $17.5 million will provide mental health services, public health research, student services, upgrade parks, build a new public athletic venue, and more as part of the overall government funding package.

This government funding legislation also includes significant investments to:

• Help Working Families With The Cost of Living: reducing costs by expanding child care and early learning programs to more working families, investing in America’s K-12 public schools, increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $400, expanding access to homeownership, and bringing the promise of rural broadband to more communities
• Create American Jobs: putting folks to work in good-paying jobs rebuilding our infrastructure, helping small businesses grow and thrive, fostering the green energy jobs of tomorrow, and supporting high-quality job training and apprenticeship programs so every American can contribute and succeed
• Support the Vulnerable: meeting Americans’ basic needs by strengthening nutrition assistance, funding more affordable housing and strengthening the social safety net
• Honor Our Promise to Veterans: funding benefits, bolstering the VA’s health care system and reducing backlogs
• Deliver Justice for Women and Girls: cracking down on gender-based violence with a long-overdue reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

The legislation also addresses some of our nation’s biggest challenges:

• Protecting Our National Security: with robust funding for defense, diplomacy and global development, a strong focus on cybersecurity, and investments in responsible border and maritime security that keeps us safe and respects the rights and dignity of migrants
• Confronting the Climate Crisis: through a renewed focus on environmental enforcement, pioneering funding for environmental justice, and historic investments in clean energy and climate science
• Strengthening Public Health: by rebuilding our health care infrastructure, establishing funding for President Biden’s new cancer research initiative, and confronting urgent health crises – including maternal health, mental health, substance misuse, and gun violence

Additionally, the omnibus will provide $13.6 billion in assistance for the people of Ukraine, as they face Russia’s unprovoked, premediated war.  This legislation will also unlock critical infrastructure investments that have already been authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, creating good-paying jobs across Louisiana.

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