Measure was brainchild of former Rep. David Cicilline, and was passed as part of the bipartisan water resources bill
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and Gabe Amo (D-RI) today cheered the final passage of legislation establishing a Southern New England Regional Commission to spur region-wide economic growth and attract more federal investment to Rhode Island.
The legislation passed as part of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which authorizes improvements to our nation’s harbors and waterways, invests in coastal resiliency efforts, and supports U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects nationwide. The Senate cleared the bill by a vote of 97 to 1, and the measure passed the House last week by a vote of 399-18. The legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“This is good news for Rhode Island, as is the fact that Senator Whitehouse is ascending to the top of the Environment and Public Works Committee. He’s always been a strong advocate for the Ocean State with an outstanding record of delivering for working families. The inclusion of this provision is a credit to him, as well as former Congressman David Cicilline, who worked the issue for many years as part of the Democratic leadership on the House side during his term in office,” said Reed.
“Today’s bipartisan passage of WRDA has some big wins for Rhode Island, but none bigger than the establishment of a Southern New England Regional Commission. During his years in the House, my former colleague Congressman Cicilline was the driving force behind this effort, which will leverage partnerships between local, state, and the federal government to boost the regional economy across state lines and bring home additional federal funding to Rhode Island. I’m proud to have helped secure this long-fought victory for Congressman Cicilline and for Rhode Island,” said Whitehouse, who in the next Congress will be the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where WRDA is drafted.
“The establishment of a Southern New England Regional Commission is a huge win and a longstanding goal for Rhode Island, and would not have been possible without the advocacy of former Congressman Cicilline and my colleagues in the congressional delegation,” said Magaziner. “This is the first step to unlocking more federal funding for Rhode Island, attracting economic development, and investing in projects that support workforce training and protect the environment.”
“Working as part of the Rhode Island delegation, I’ve seen firsthand how teamwork makes the dream work,” said Amo. “The Southern New England Regional Commission will increase collaboration between Rhode Island and our neighbors to unlock widespread prosperity for our region. As we celebrate the milestone of Senate passage, it is important to recognize that this moment wouldn’t have been possible without former Congressman Cicilline and Senator Whitehouse’s tenacious leadership. As the co-lead of the Southern New England Regional Commission Act, I’m excited to see my first piece of legislation on the path to being signed into law.”
There are currently eight Regional Commissions, and the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 would authorize two more: the Southern New England Regional Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission. Regional Commissions are federal and state partnerships with a federal co-chair appointed by the President and state co-chairs appointed by governors. The Southern New England Regional Commission will include Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and six counties in Connecticut. The Southern New England Regional Commission will integrate federal and state economic development priorities with regional and local considerations, and will support economic growth by developing basic infrastructure and energy investments, supporting projects to conserve the environment and natural resources, expanding workforce training, and promoting business development and entrepreneurship.
The delegation secured several other key provisions benefitting Rhode Island in the comprehensive Water Resources Development Act of 2024, including measures to improve climate resiliency along Rhode Island’s coastline, support Blue Economy projects in future federal grant opportunities, reauthorize the National Dam Safety Program, and establish a Workforce Training Grants program at the Economic Development Administration.
