New Dems Push for Public Safety, Affordable Housing Funding and a Data Center National Strategy in FY2027 Appropriations Requests
Members of the New Dems signed onto letters to the House Appropriations Committee to advocate for critical funding and language in Fiscal Year 2027 funding bills
Today, New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that New Democrat Coalition Members sent five letters to House Appropriations Committee leadership for government funding and support for several key initiatives in the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process.
The five letters, which garnered more than 90 signatures from New Dem Members, included requests to fully fund various public safety grants and programs, direct funding to accelerate housing development, support rural economic development, create a National Strategic Data Center Plan, and implement a “dig once” policy to streamline infrastructure construction nationwide.
“Despite the chaos of the Trump Administration and Congressional Republican leadership, New Dems remain as focused as ever on advancing commonsense solutions to improve the lives of the American people through a bipartisan appropriations process,” said Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski. “I’m proud of my colleagues for advocating for vital programs that will uplift communities around the country, and for putting forward bold ideas to ensure we not only weather the challenges of today, but prepare for the challenges of the future. I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance these causes and deliver government funding legislation that truly serves the interests of the American people.”
Read more about each letter below:
Affordable Housing
New Dem signatories to this letter are advocating for the use of federal funds to break down barriers to housing development and accelerate construction to address the ongoing shortage that has driven up prices nationwide.
This letter calls for legislation to fully fund the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the Choice Neighborhoods Program, and efforts to boost Tribal housing supply. The letter also includes report language to improve federal survey efforts, which will help gather better data to inform the efficient use of federal funds.
Data Centers
The rapid growth of data center development has run into community opposition, a lack of electrical grid capacity, and a patchwork of regulations that have driven up costs and caused confusion.
This letter advocates for language that directs the Department of Energy to create a National Strategic Data Center Plan that will improve coordination between all levels of government, utility providers, community members, data center operators, and more, producing a balanced approach that ensures mutual benefit and coexistence for communities and data centers across the country.
Rural Revitalization
Rural communities have been overlooked and underserved by lawmakers for far too long – New Dem Members signing this letter argue that we should be empowering them with the tools and resources they need to grow local economies.
This letter requests that the Committee fully fund rural housing development programs, as well as programs that lower the cost of rural utilities and ensure every community can access affordable broadband. It also advocates for increased investment in conservation programs and grant programs that will boost rural economic development.
Public Safety
Local law enforcement across the country are struggling with recruitment, retention, and resources as they contend with strained budgets and diminished public trust. New Dems signatories of this letter argue that we should be working to improve relationships between law enforcement and their communities, and ensure departments have the resources they need to protect the people they serve.
This letter calls for the Committee to fully fund a variety of public safety programs that enhance law enforcement’s ability to protect communities safely and effectively, including but not limited to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Project Safe Neighborhoods, Drug-Free Communities, and Urban Area Security Initiative programs.
Dig Once
“Dig Once” refers to the streamlining of federal, state, and local government efforts alongside private sector entities to prevent repeated excavations during the development of construction or infrastructure projects. This streamlining speeds up building processes, reduces waste of taxpayer dollars, diminishes environmental impacts, and more.
The letter directs the Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other relevant agencies, to implement a Dig Once policy across all future grant opportunities and infrastructure projects to make infrastructure development more efficient.
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