On Thursday, July 28, the Senate Appropriations Committee released draft text of the annual bills that fund the federal government 

Following Senator Reverend Warnock’s advocacy, the draft government funding bills include robust investments in several priorities for the Columbus area, including investments in electric buses, bus charging stations, and support for Muscogee County School District students living in extreme poverty

Senator Reverend Warnock: “These investments will support local economic development, help our students most in need, and take major steps toward creating a clean environment. I will continue working to get these investments over the finish line”

Washington, D.C. — Following months of advocacy and conversations with partners across Georgia, today U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael  Warnock (D-GA) proudly announced that he secured critical federal investments for several Georgia priorities in the recently-released draft fiscal year 2023 government funding bills—including nearly $4.4 million for critical projects and initiatives in the Columbus area that will invest in Columbus’ public transit, support Columbus students most in need, and make much-needed refurbishments to Columbus’ City Hall.  

“I’m proud to represent Columbus in the United States Senate,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m proud of the economic wins I was able to secure in the draft government funding bills that will hopefully be signed into law soon. These investments will support local economic development, help our students most in need, and take major steps toward creating a clean environment. I will continue working to get these investments over the finish line, and listening to Georgians in every corner of the state about how I can best work for them in the United States Senate.”

The twelve government funding bills, released on July 28 by the Senate Appropriations Committee, reflect months of behind-the-scenes work by Senator Warnock and his office to ensure the bills address critical priorities for Georgia families and companies, including major investments to strengthen our national security and Georgia’s military communities; complete vital projects to improve and modernize the state’s infrastructure; increase support for the state’s colleges and universities, including HBCUs; and, importantly, support and create good-paying jobs in every corner of the state. In addition to securing funding for several Georgia priorities in the base text of the legislation, Senator Warnock also successfully secured $129.49 million in direct federal investments for 64 Georgia projects and initiatives, in more than 40 counties, through Congressionally-directed spending requested on behalf of stakeholders across the state. The appropriations bills must now be approved by the full Senate. 

[For a FULL list of investments and policies Senator Reverend Warnock secured for Georgia in the draft Senate government funding bills, visit HERE.] 

See below key wins for Columbus that Senator Reverend Warnock secured in the draft Senate government funding bills: 

• Electric Buses: Senator Warnock secured $4 million in Congressionally-directed spending funds for two electric buses and bus charging stations, which will be operated by Columbus’ public transit service provider, METRA. The investment will help METRA continue to green its operations and improve the public transit agencies’ services.

• K-12 Education: Senator Warnock secured $288,000 in Congressionally-directed spending funds to improve education for students in the Muscogee County School District by supporting students and families in the Columbus area who live in extreme poverty. 

• Columbus City Hall Repairs: Senator Warnock secured $110,000 in Congressionally-directed spending funds to fund repairs at Columbus’ City Hall—including roof repairs, window replacements, and interior upgrades. This investment will help ensure a vibrant town center for years to come.

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