U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) secured federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), Great Lakes Center of Expertise and for a new Great Lakes Icebreaker while helping the Senate Appropriations Committee pass the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and the Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.
The legislation, which includes $373 million in GLRI funding, continued support for the U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise for the Great Lakes based in Sault Ste. Marie and $55 million for a new Great Lakes icebreaker, now advances to the full Senate as Peters continues to work with his Senate colleagues on legislation to fund the federal government.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, is considering their own funding bills. The Senate and House will then need to reach an agreement on a final funding bill and have it pass both chambers before being sent to the President to be signed into law.
“The Great Lakes are part of who we are as Michiganders and critical for clean drinking water, our way of life and economy,” said Senator Peters. “After pushing for funding, I’m pleased this bipartisan legislation includes resources to protect and restore the Great Lakes through the GLRI program, acquire a new Great Lakes icebreaker and continue efforts to make sure we are better prepared against any potential oil spill in freshwater environments.”
Comments