Bill to Fund Key Transportation and Housing Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act.  The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House. 

The measure, which was advanced by a bipartisan vote of 29-0, provides $98.931 billion in discretionary funding, including $448 million in defense and $98.483 billion in non-defense funding.

“To move Maine’s economy forward, we must prioritize improving our infrastructure and enhancing our transportation network.  This legislation does just that, building on previous investments to enhance safety, move people and products more efficiently, and create jobs across the state,” said Senator Collins.  “I am especially pleased that this bill continues support for shore-side infrastructure improvements at Maine Maritime Academy, as well as other State Maritime Academies.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

Bill Highlights:

Local Projects: $255,089,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for 77 requests across Maine through the FY24 THUD appropriations bill.  This includes 15 MaineDOT projects totaling $126.6 million.

Department of Transportation:

• Bridge Formula Funding: $1.145 billion for bridge rehabilitation and replacement, with funding prioritized for states with more than five percent of bridges in poor condition.

• RAISE Grants: $800 million for RAISE grants, which provide federal assistance for vital transportation projects across the country.  Maine has received a TIGER, BUILD, or RAISE grant award each year, totaling more than $345 million since the program was established in 2009.

• State Maritime Academies (SMAs): $131 million to support the development of shore-side infrastructure necessary for the SMAs, including Maine Maritime Academy, to berth and operate the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). 

• Ports and Shipyards: $213 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $20 million for the Small Shipyard Grant program.  Maine shipyards that have benefitted from this program include Rockland Marine Corporation, Washburn & Doughty, and Front Street Shipyard. 

• Aviation Improvement Program (AIP): $3.85 billion, including $500.7 million in discretionary supplemental AIP.  The supplemental AIP funding has benefited airports in Bangor, Presque Isle, Old Town, and Wiscasset in prior years.

• Essential Air Service (EAS): $348.6 million to support all existing EAS communities, including Augusta, Bar Harbor, Presque Isle, and Rockland.

Department of Housing and Urban Development:

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): $3.3 billion for the CDBG program, which helps state and local governments promote economic development and job creation. 

• Aging in Place Modifications for Seniors: $30 million for grants for home modifications to enable low-income seniors to “age in place” and remain in their own homes. 

• Youth Homelessness: $107 million for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration program and $25 million for Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers for youth exiting foster care and at risk of homelessness.  The bill improves the ability of rural and non-metropolitan areas to access this important funding.  

• Housing for the Elderly: $1.1 billion for the Section 202 program.

• Housing During Substance Abuse Recovery: $30 million for States to provide individuals in recovery with stable, temporary housing.  This includes nearly $1.3 million for traditional housing for opioid recovery programs in Maine.

• Lead Hazard Reduction Grants: $245 million to remediate lead-based paint hazards, helping communities protect children from the harmful effects of lead-based paint poisoning in homes.

This funding and language advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 THUD appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.  Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.      

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