Senators Reverend Warnock, Smith Call For $60 Billion Investment in Rural Communities

Sens. Reverend Warnock and Smith urge Senate leaders to strengthen federal investments in rural communities, small towns in upcoming infrastructure legislation to support job creation and improve overall quality of life
The lawmakers are pushing for at least $60 billion in investments for rural development, stressing the need for “equity of investment”The lawmakers are pushing for at least $60 billion in investments for rural development, stressing the need for “equity of investment”
New letter follows Senator Warnock’s recent tour of Georgia rural broadband provider WavCom where he spoke about the need for connectivity to ensure a level playing field for rural communities – READ MORE
Lawmakers: “No one should have to choose between leaving their hometown and providing their family with economic opportunity, healthcare, and financial security. It is time for Congress to answer the call for rural investment and deliver on our promise of equal opportunity for all.”
Read the full letter HERE

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Tina Smith (D-MN), both key members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, pushed Senate leadership to make significant investments in rural communities across the country as Congress considers legislation to improve our nation’s infrastructure. In a new letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY), the lawmakers urged that any infrastructure funding package include no less than $60 billion for rural development and rural community initiatives to help close the wealth and opportunity gaps that persist in rural America.

“Rural America is home to vibrant communities that feed, clothe, and build the foundation of our country. As many small towns continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and look toward new opportunities for job creation, we must ensure an equity of investment in rural areas,” the lawmakers wrote“Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to continue to close the wealth and opportunity gaps in rural America and protect the small town way of life.”

A steadfast champion for rural Georgians, Senator Warnock has previously worked to strengthen rural broadband access and connectivity, and has advocated to prioritize federal funding to increase rural transit options across the state. Senator Smith has also demonstrated her fierce commitment to rural Minnesotans, working to increase maternal healthcare access in rural communities, and advocating to help install renewable energy systems in rural communities across the country. In addition to serving on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Senator Reverend Warnock serves as the Chair for the Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, and Senator Smith is the Chair for the Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy.

READ THE FULL LETTER HERE

Read the full letter text below:

July 8, 2021

The Honorable Charles Schumer

Majority Leader

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Minority Leader

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell,

As you consider legislation to improve our nation’s infrastructure, we write to encourage you to provide significant investments in rural communities and small towns. To adequately meet the needs of our rural constituents, we respectfully request no less than $60 billion for rural development and rural community initiatives.

Rural America is home to vibrant communities that feed, clothe, and build the foundation of our country. As many small towns continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and look toward new opportunities for job creation, we must ensure an equity of investment in rural areas. Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to continue to close the wealth and opportunity gaps in rural America and protect the small town way of life.

President Biden’s American Jobs Plan supports rural communities through investments in rural economic development, water and waste systems, broadband, rural business programs, community infrastructure, rural manufacturing, and clean energy. The United States Department of Agriculture has long served rural and agricultural communities through on the ground services and is therefore best suited to provide quality and trustworthy resources to small towns across the nation.

No one should have to choose between leaving their hometown and providing their family with economic opportunity, healthcare, and financial security. It is time for Congress to answer the call for rural investment and deliver on our promise of equal opportunity for all.

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Title and affiliation are provided for identification purposes only. A noted theologian and social justice advocate, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock was elected to the United State Senate in 2021 and serves on the Senate Agriculture, Banking, and Commerce committees, as well as the Joint Economic Committee and Senate Special Committee on Aging.

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