{"id":8357,"date":"2021-09-10T19:28:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T19:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/?post_type=press-releases&p=8357"},"modified":"2021-09-28T19:29:38","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T19:29:38","slug":"sens-ossoff-warnock-cortez-masto-introduce-historic-transit-expansion-legislation-as-congress-drafts-budget-reconciliation-measure","status":"publish","type":"press-releases","link":"https:\/\/www.ossoff.senate.gov\/es\/press-releases\/sens-ossoff-warnock-cortez-masto-introduce-historic-transit-expansion-legislation-as-congress-drafts-budget-reconciliation-measure\/","title":{"rendered":"Sens. Ossoff, Warnock, Cortez Masto Introduce Historic Transit Expansion Legislation As Congress Drafts Budget Reconciliation Measure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sen. Ossoff joined by Sens. Rev. Warnock and Cortez Masto in introducing bill to build public transportation serving affordable housing and low-income communities<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sen. Ossoff pushing for inclusion of \u201cPublic Transportation Expansion Act\u201d in reconciliation bill<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atlanta, Ga.<\/strong> \u2014  Days after U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff led the entire Georgia Democratic Congressional Delegation<\/a> and members of the Senate Banking Committee<\/a> urging additional transit funding in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill, Sen. Ossoff today introduced the Public Transportation Expansion Act <\/em>alongside U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), which would for the first time fund construction of public transportation specifically connecting affordable housing with transit networks in order to serve riders and commuters in low-income communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Tina Smith (D-MN) co-sponsored the bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives alongside Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), and Congressman Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Public Transportation Expansion Act <\/em>will create a Federal grant program to fund public transportation expansion to serve low-income communities and connect affordable housing with transit networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill would also, for the first time in decades, allow large transit operators to use federal funds for operating expenses, a game-changer for transit agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am championing historic transit investments in the reconciliation bill because mobility is essential for opportunity, health, and quality of life \u2014 especially in communities that have been historically neglected. This legislation will build public transportation to serve residents in Georgia\u2019s low-income neighborhoods, connecting affordable housing with health care, education, and employment centers while protecting our environment by reducing air pollution,\u201d Senator Ossoff said<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor many Georgians, physical mobility means social mobility. Hardworking families, from Albany to Augusta, stand to benefit from this additional transit funding that will help to connect students to their classrooms, patients to their health care facilities, and workers to their places of employment,\u201dsaid Senator Reverend Warnock. <\/strong>\u201cI am proud to support this legislation to ensure all Georgia riders and commuters have access to the transportation options they need to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo address the affordable housing crisis we must invest in accessible public transportation that will work to provide Nevadans a reliable and safe way to get to work and school,\u201dsaid Senator Cortez Masto.<\/strong> \u201cI have long pushed for federal dollars to help connect our communities so that everyone can get to their jobs, access health care, and pick up groceries, no matter where they live. This legislation will enhance our mobility and it will improve the quality of life for families across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we understand that mobility is essential to freedom \u2013 to control your own destiny \u2013 we understand that investing in transit in places that have historically been underserved is an investment in people,\u201dsaid Rep. Hank Johnson, a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. <\/strong>\u201cI\u2019m pleased to introduce the companion legislation of the Public Transportation Expansion Act<\/em> in the U.S. House of Representatives to invest in a new, one-of-a-kind program that will connect affordable housing with transit options so people can access health care, education and employment opportunities. I thank Sens. Ossoff and Warnock for their leadership in understanding mobility is essential for opportunity, health, and quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cConnected communities are thriving communities,\u201dRep. Nikema Williams said.<\/strong> \u201cFor too long, Black, Brown, and low-income communities have been left behind in transit expansion. I\u2019m fighting for these historic, intentional investments because it\u2019s more than a bus route or train. This legislation is a direct line to economic opportunity for everyone, no matter your ZIP Code or your bank account.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInadequate public transportation hurts communities and hurts our economy. As our cities grow and congestion increases, it is more critical than ever to have public transportation alternatives that work for everyone,\u201dsaid Rep. Bourdeaux.<\/strong> \u201cI am proud to join Senator Ossoff in introducing this legislation. Strengthening our economy, addressing climate change, and futurefitting our communities depend on making historic investments like this in our nation\u2019s transit infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDiverse, working-class communities like those I represent on the Southwest and Northwest sides of Chicago, need bold investments in equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) to connect people via public transit to affordable housing, jobs, and other essential services like health care and school,\u201d said Rep. Garc\u00eda.<\/strong> \u201cWe must bring America\u2019s transportation and housing infrastructure into the 21st century to break down the physical barriers separating affordable housing options from good paying jobs, and undo decades of disinvestment in communities of color. Our legislation is a crucial first step\u201d.1h<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sen. Ossoff has consistently championed expanded transit access in the state of Georgia and nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Georgia, lack of transit access particularly impacts low-income Georgians and Georgians of color:<\/p>\n\n\n\n