Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Federal Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RiverCOG hears federal delegation warn of funding risks, urges quick obligation of infrastructure dollars
Summary
An unidentified congressman and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy told RiverCOG members to accelerate project obligations before a transition in the White House could imperil appropriations, highlighting watershed invasive-species work, a $25 million WRDA authorization for East Hampton and efforts to secure rail and infrastructure money for the region.
An unidentified congressman and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy told members of RiverCOG at the council’s annual legislative meeting that the region’s best defense against potential federal funding disruptions is to move projects through approval and obligation as quickly as possible.
The congressman, who joined the meeting remotely, thanked RiverCOG staff for a letter of support on the region’s Economic Development District application and cited inclusion of Army Corps work on hydrilla in the Water Resources Development Act authorization. “There was authorization for $25,000,000 for environmental infrastructure ... in East Hampton,” he said, noting the authorization raises visibility for local projects and can help agencies prioritize funding.
The congressman also warned about a prospective White House budget director who has written in favor of executive impoundment — the executive branch withholding funds after congressional appropriation. “Voigt does not believe in the constitutionality of that law,” he said of the nominee; council members were urged to accelerate obligations and paperwork to reduce the risk that appropriated but unobligated funds could be affected.
Sen. Chris Murphy, who joined later from the Senate floor, echoed that urgency. “We are working very hard with the administration to get those dollars out the door prior to January 20,” Murphy said, citing the bipartisan infrastructure law, the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act as priority sources the delegation wants obligated to projects in Connecticut. He said the Senate had secured higher funding for invasive-species grants in its version of the bill — raising the account from about $5 million toward $7.5 million — and warned that early-session congressional packages could shift priorities away from Connecticut interests.
Why it matters: Council members oversee or advise on projects that depend on federal obligations and state matching dollars; delays in obligation can leave local projects exposed to executive-branch changes. Several attendees asked how staff and offices could help speed applications and agency coordination.
What’s next: Both offices offered ongoing help through constituent services and staff follow-up. RiverCOG staff said they will continue to track the Economic Development District application and work with municipal staff to get required paperwork submitted promptly.
