$192 Million Additional Funding Secured for Federal New Starts Program which will Fund Second Avenue Subway Phase II Extension
Representative Adriano Espaillat released the following statement on legislative victories secured through his efforts in the recent appropriations package that will have immediate impacts on projects throughout New York’s 13th congressional district.
“As we will soon mark the close of another successful legislative calendar year, I am delighted to announce that several efforts that I have pushed in Washington on behalf of my constituents will be included in the recent appropriations package and will impact the lives of New Yorkers and individuals around the nation,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat . “I am especially thrilled to announce that we have secured a 13% increase, or $192 million in additional funding for the federal New Starts Program, which will fund the Second Avenue Subway Phase II extension, a project that is critical to the health and prosperity of our community and will provide transit options that East Harlem desperately needs. We have fought hard for this important project and this appropriations victory will help make expansion of Phase II of the Second Avenue Subway a reality.”
The recent appropriations package, which is expected to become law, includes a number of requests that Rep. Espaillat has spent the year advocating for:
• $21 million for body-worn cameras for CBP border agents to ensure greater transparency and oversight of immigration enforcement agencies along our nation’s southern border;
• Language that requires ICE to provide an update to Congress on the status of its body-worn camera pilot program;
• Language that requires the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work with stakeholders and report to Congress any plans to consolidate or close international field offices, which provide vital services to Americans and prospective residents living overseas;
• An increase in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) by $2 million, bringing that project to $60 million total, to combat drug trafficking, promote social justice, and increase public safety and security in the region;
• $45 million to help Hispanic-serving colleges and universities expand their science, technology, engineering and math programs;
• And full funding for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for a total of $18.5 billion, which helps those with WIC program nutrition assistance purchase fresh produce from locally-sourced farmers markets.
“I take my oath of office seriously and will continue my efforts to push for smart legislation and critical funding that will help improve the lives of hard-working families in my district and throughout New York.”
“As we will soon mark the close of another successful legislative calendar year, I am delighted to announce that several efforts that I have pushed in Washington on behalf of my constituents will be included in the recent appropriations package and will impact the lives of New Yorkers and individuals around the nation,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat . “I am especially thrilled to announce that we have secured a 13% increase, or $192 million in additional funding for the federal New Starts Program, which will fund the Second Avenue Subway Phase II extension, a project that is critical to the health and prosperity of our community and will provide transit options that East Harlem desperately needs. We have fought hard for this important project and this appropriations victory will help make expansion of Phase II of the Second Avenue Subway a reality.”
The recent appropriations package, which is expected to become law, includes a number of requests that Rep. Espaillat has spent the year advocating for:
• $21 million for body-worn cameras for CBP border agents to ensure greater transparency and oversight of immigration enforcement agencies along our nation’s southern border;
• Language that requires ICE to provide an update to Congress on the status of its body-worn camera pilot program;
• Language that requires the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work with stakeholders and report to Congress any plans to consolidate or close international field offices, which provide vital services to Americans and prospective residents living overseas;
• An increase in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) by $2 million, bringing that project to $60 million total, to combat drug trafficking, promote social justice, and increase public safety and security in the region;
• $45 million to help Hispanic-serving colleges and universities expand their science, technology, engineering and math programs;
• And full funding for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for a total of $18.5 billion, which helps those with WIC program nutrition assistance purchase fresh produce from locally-sourced farmers markets.
“I take my oath of office seriously and will continue my efforts to push for smart legislation and critical funding that will help improve the lives of hard-working families in my district and throughout New York.”
