{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-spending-package-with-key-hirono-priorities-including-over-285-million-in-congressionally-directed-spending-for-hawaii", "Senate Passes Bipartisan Spending Package with Key Hirono Priorities, Including Over $285 Million in Congressionally Directed Spending for Hawaii", "2023-11-01", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "HI", "Mazie K. Hirono", "H001042", "www.hirono.senate.gov", "hirono", "https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) voted to pass a package of three Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills, which includes a provision secured by Senator Hirono to provide $2 million in federal funding to address deferred maintenance at U.S. schools of agriculture. The package\u2014which includes the Agriculture; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and transportation, housing, and urban development appropriations bills\u2014also includes more than $285 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) that Senator Hirono requested for nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Hawaii. The bill passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 85-12 and now must be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan funding package invests in key priorities for Hawaii and our country,\u201d said Senator Hirono. \u201cI am proud that my legislation to address deferred maintenance projects at agriculture schools across the country was included in this bill, especially as Hawaii works to strengthen its food sustainability and increase support for local farmers. I am also glad that funding requests I submitted for projects across Hawaii were included\u2014projects that will help protect native species, improve infrastructure, and construct facilities for keiki and kupuna in need. As we continue working to fund the federal government, I\u2019ll keep fighting to secure federal investments for people and communities across our state.\u201d\n\nSenator Hirono\u2019s deferred maintenance provision would provide funding for grants for construction of agricultural research facilities at schools of agriculture across the country. The grants\u2014available to universities and colleges of agriculture\u2014go towards construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of facilities and research equipment.\n\nAdditionally, Senator Hirono secured nearly 40 CDS requests in the bill, which would provide over $285 million in federal funding for a wide range of projects in Hawaii covering agriculture; military construction and veterans affairs; and transportation, housing, and urban development. While this funding is included in the Senate bill, it is not guaranteed until a final bill is signed into law. A full list of the projects is below:\n\nAGRICULTURE PROJECTS:\n\nHawaii Land Trust - $1,097,000\n\nTo install predator proof fencing to protect native forest species from invasive predators.\n\nMA\u2019O Organic Farms - $567,000\n\nTo construct an Agroforesty Training Baseyard as proper infrastructure to support a new offshoot of youth workforce programs.\n\nHoa Aina O Makaha - $96,000\n\nFor improvements to the infrastructure of Hoa Aina O Makaha including: complete renovation of the Front House; roof replacement for the tool shed building; electrical power line upgrading to code; termite inspection, treatment, and repair.\n\nHawaii Land Trust - $1,500,000\n\nTo restore the historic Dickey house structure to a Cultural Learning Center to provide a safe space for students, educators and practitioners from weather conditions, while connecting our community and school partners to the land through place-based experiential learning.\n\nMILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES (MILCON-VA) PROJECTS:\n\nJoint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam - $49,080,000\n\nThe planned Waterfront Production Facility will bring light industrial productive capacity and shipboard worker services closer to the drydocks in a permanent and modern facility.\n\nMarine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay - $109,000,000\n\nUpgrades a water reclamation facility at Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay.\n\nFort Shafter - $23,000,000\n\nConstruct a Clearwell and Booster Pump System.\n\nHelemano Military Reservation Hawaii - $33,000,000\n\nConstruct wells, pump station and storage tank.\n\nSchofield Barracks - $21,000,000\n\nConstruct water storage tanks, pumping station and distribution lines.\n\nSchofield Barracks - $16,000,000\n\nConstruct elevated potable water storage tank and distribution lines.\n\nTRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (THUD) PROJECTS:\n\nChild and Family Service - $1,181,000\n\nTo undertake demolition and infrastructure work on Child and Family Service\u2019s existing property in an effort to build a new youth residential crisis stabilization facility for children in crisis.\n\nCity and County of Honolulu - $2,500,000\n\nTo construct a Kupuna Resource Center (KRC) to better help kupuna access services as seamlessly as possible. The KRC will house a resource library and computer center, as well as workspace for Elderly Affairs Division staff to provide direct services.\n\nCounty of Kauai, DPW - $3,200,000\n\nThis funding will support design and construction of a roadway, sidewalks, and bike lanes.\n\nYWCA of Hawaii Island - $1,500,000\n\nTo replace a defunct swimming complex with a new, modern preschool, including age-appropriate play areas and a commercial kitchen.\n\nCounty of Kauai - $3,290,000\n\nTo replace the roof of the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, including the curved auditorium, central lobby, and north lobby. The current roof, which was built in the 1960s, has exceeded its useful life.\n\nHui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation - $785,000\n\nTo construct a multi-purpose pavilion with a certified commercial kitchen and multipurpose space for educational and community activities.\n\nResidential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE) - $3,000,000\n\nTo build and renovate facilities to address youth homelessness through small census living models and residential care, programming, and supportive services.\n\nBig Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii - $1,500,000\n\nTo purchase and renovate a building to create a new headquarters for Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii. The headquarters will serve as a space to host youth programs, to facilitate community and family workshops, to distribute resources, and as a hub for mentoring services for youth and teens.\n\nCounty of Kauai - $1,600,000\n\nTo develop civil engineering and construction documents for the Kilauea Affordable Housing subdivision on approximately 50 acres of County-owned land in the town of Kilauea, including, stormwater systems, water systems, wastewater, roadways, and utilities.\n\nCounty of Kauai - $1,800,000\n\nTo undertake the engineering and design work for a wastewater treatment facility for the Kilauea Affordable Housing subdivision and other areas of Kilauea Town.\n\nIsland of Hawaii YMCA - $625,000\n\nTo acquire parcel of land adjacent to the existing Island of Hawaii YWCA, allowing the organization to expand program access.\n\nMalaai - $676,000\n\nTo replace an existing outdoor shelter, and be used as an outdoor classroom for the approximately 200 students of Waimea Middle School that participate in Malaai\u2019s programs.\n\nChild and Family Service - $2,000,000\n\nTo contribute to the construction of a 6,000 sq ft walk-in service and resource center adjacent to the organization\u2019s existing location.\n\nCounty of Kauai - $1,400,000\n\nTo develop civil engineering and construction documents for the Waimea 400 affordable housing subdivision, including the engineering and design of all required on- and off-site civil infrastructure including, stormwater systems, water systems, wastewater, roadways, and utilities.\n\nDepartment of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife - $900,000\n\nTo build a Hawaiian design-inspired educational center at the State Kawaiele and Mana Waterbird Sanctuary for locals and visitors to learn about the complex history of West Kauai and see five endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, including the nene, Hawaii\u2019s state bird.\n\nHui O Hauula - $5,399,000\n\nTo replace a community center in disrepair with a community resilience hub that functions as both a new community center and as a wind- and tsunami-resilient shelter in an area of Oahu that does not currently have that kind of shelter.\n\nThe Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Act fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill provides the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and related agencies $135.3 billion in non-defense discretionary funding, as well as $161.7 billion in mandatory funding, to fulfill our nation\u2019s obligations to our veterans. The bill further provides advance appropriations for our veterans in fiscal year 2025, including $112.6 billion for veterans\u2019 medical care and $193 billion for veterans benefits. The bill also includes $19.1 billion in defense spending for military construction and family housing this year\u2014an increase of $70 million over fiscal year 2023\u2014to upgrade and modernize critical infrastructure and support military families.\n\nThe bill:\n\nKeeps our sacred promise to veterans by fully funding veterans\u2019 medical care and benefits and fully funding VA programs, including by:\n\nDelivering a $2.3 billion increase in funding to get veterans the mental health care they deserve.\n\nProviding $557 million more to strengthen VA\u2019s caregiver program and reach more families, $439 million more to support women veterans\u2019 health care, and $23 million to expand the Child Care Pilot Program to eliminate barriers for veterans in need of child care while attending medical appointments.\n\nBoosting our investments in VA facilities to deliver better care for veterans across the country.\n\nInvesting $938 million in VA Medical and Prosthetic Research to advance efforts related to Traumatic Brain Injury, PFAS exposure, and more.\n\nStrengthens our national security by delivering a historic funding level to modernize critical military infrastructure and build our presence in key regions around the world, including by:\n\nBoosting funding to support critical maintenance projects, upgrade our shipyards, and improve the resiliency of our bases and military infrastructure, particularly in the face climate-driven threats.\n\nProviding more than $1.8 billion in funding for projects in the Indo-Pacific Command to support the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, delivering $300 million for projects to support the European Deterrence Initiative, and fully funding the U.S. commitment to support the NATO Security Investment Program.\n\nSupports our servicemembers and military families, including by:\n\nDelivering new resources to construct new family housing, maintain and upgrade existing units, and strengthen oversight of privatized housing.\n\nIncreasing funding for child development centers to expand access to child care for military families.\n\nProviding additional funding to address the threat posed by PFAS and to support environmental remediation at BRAC installations.\n\nThe Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill provides $25.993 billion in funding.\n\nThe bill:\n\nSupports kids and families by fully funding nutrition assistance programs and boosting funding for WIC to get more women, infants, and children the nutrition they need.\n\nIncreases WIC funding by $615 million to ensure over 6 million women, infants, and children can get the nutrition they need.\n\nFully funds SNAP to serve an estimated 42 million Americans each month\u2014and includes no new restrictions on eligibility.\n\nFully funds Child Nutrition Programs to ensure schools can continue serving healthy meals to millions of kids nationwide.\n\nInvests in agricultural research with new funding to support farmers and ranchers, particularly as they continue to respond to a changing climate.\n\nProtects the safety of America\u2019s food supply and helps keep American families healthy and safe by delivering new resources for FDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service to fulfill their critical missions.\n\nThe Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill provides $98.931 billion in total discretionary funding. The bill:\n\nGets Americans safely to where they need to be, including by:\n\nProviding $1.255 billion in new resources for the FAA to address the shortage of air traffic controllers, improve safety, reduce flight delays, and increase efficiency.\n\nAddressing rail safety deficiencies after recent derailments, disasters, and close calls with $32 million in new funding for the Federal Railroad Administration to improve safety and operations nationwide.\n\nContinuing critical investments in America\u2019s transit and transportation infrastructure.\n\nExpanding transportation infrastructure assistance for Tribes.\n\nIncreases America\u2019s housing supply and affordability and addresses the homelessness crisis, including by:\n\nIncreasing the supply of affordable housing nationwide with funding to build 10,000 new rental and homebuyer units.\n\nExtending funding for the \u201cYes In My Back Yard\u201d grant program to support efforts to increase our nation\u2019s housing supply and lower housing costs through state and local zoning changes.\n\nDelivering $275 million in new funding for Homeless Assistance Grants to help address homelessness in communities across the country and providing new resources to better connect people experiencing homelessness with health care services.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-spending-package-with-key-hirono-priorities-including-over-285-million-in-congressionally-directed-spending-for-hawaii"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.303158864378929, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}