On behalf of the members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I write in support of The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. This important legislation funds federal agencies and programs that are critical to the aggregates industry and the continued development of our communities. We urge Congress to move to swiftly pass this legislation and keep our government open.
On behalf of the 450 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), we write to express our gratitude to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies for their hard work to advance the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 bill which enhances public transit, airports, railways and roads nationwide. NSSGA represents the aggregates and industrial sand industry of our country, with over 9,000 facilities and more than 100,000 employees in high-paying jobs. The urgency to repair our nation’s current infrastructure
Infrastructure investment spurs job creation and economic growth. To maximize this, the 34 organizations and labor unions of the Transportation Construction Coalition urge timely completion of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 transportation appropriations at levels authorized in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The second year of the IIJA is underway, and real-world improvements to safety, commute times, and freight movement are being seen nationwide.
As you draft the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill we urge you to provide robust funding for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Mining Research Program, whose work is essential to advancing the wellbeing of the men and women of the mining industry. As you know, NIOSH conducts critical applied research, develops criteria for occupational safety and health standards to protect workers, and provides technical services to government, labor, and industry.
Federal investment in infrastructure is critical to sustaining economic growth and quality of life improvements as the nation moves beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. After years of promises of a large infrastructure bill, Congress and President Joe Biden delivered with the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) nearly 13 months ago. The investments from the IIJA are beginning to have real world impacts as numerous agencies begin to roll out programs and resources at a time when investing in our supply chain could not be more important.
Our coalition of public and private sector stakeholders in the transportation industry first write to extend our appreciation for the robust transportation infrastructure funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate played a critical role in the development and passage of this historic legislation that will benefit the entire country.
On behalf of the 400 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I am writing to share our views on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Appropriations bills being considered by the House of Representatives. NSSGA appreciates the work of the Committee and all members of the House to responsibly fund the government and address our pressing infrastructure needs before September 30.
We appreciate President Biden’s commitment to MSHA in his FY 2022 budget request and urge the Committees to support additional funding for MSHA’s Directorate of Educational Policy and Development (EPD). EPD is essential to promoting mine safety through better training and compliance assistance. Further, we call on the Committees to provide resources for thorough and continuous training of inspectors – particularly newly hired individuals and those who are transitioning from inspecting coal mines to inspecting metal/non-metal operations.