Washington, D.C. – Today, three pieces of legislation led by U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) passed the House as part of the Moving Forward Act, a comprehensive bill to invest in America’s infrastructure and create jobs. Levin’s provisions include legislation to promote renewable energy development on public lands, support desalination projects, and invest nearly $3.4 billionin Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) infrastructure.
“America’s infrastructure is stuck in the 20th century, and it’s long past time that we make a robust, comprehensive investment to repair our country and get Americans back on the job,” said Rep. Levin. “I’m proud that the Moving Forward Act includes local priorities like my Desalination Development Act, which will support desalination projects like those in our district. The bill also helps combat the climate crisis and grow clean energyjobs by including my bill to expand renewable energy development on public lands. And to invest in our veterans, the bill includes my amendment allocating $3.4 billion for VA infrastructure upgrades and prioritizing service-disabled veteran-owned small businessesto complete many of these projects. These investments are needed now more than ever, particularly as our economy struggles to recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m proud that our local priorities are included in this landmark legislation.”
Rep. Levin’s legislation in the Moving Forward Act includes the Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act,which promotes renewable energy on public lands in a way that supports conservation, and the Desalination Development Act, which authorizes $260 million over the next fiveyears for desalination projects and creates new environmental safeguards for the funded projects.
Levin also authorized an amendment to the Moving Forward Act to provide nearly $3.4 billion for infrastructure upgrades to VA facilities, which will help ensure that veterans receive the best possible care and services. The amendment also includes a provision to direct some of the projects toservice-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
