WASHINGTON (MIRS News) – Michigan’s Congressional members Thursday touted the U.S. Senate’s passage of the year-end, $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill, which includes $342 million for Michigan projects.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D) said the bill includes $368 million to support the efforts of the Great Lake Restoration Initiative, which will be used to address invasive species and the loss of fish and wildlife habitats.

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“This budget will continue to fuel Michigan’s economy and help communities in every region of our state,” said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D). “From protecting our Great Lakes to increasing the number of professionals available to provide mental health and addiction services, to creating a permanent summer meals program for children, this bill makes significant investments in our future.”

The $1.7 trillion spending package includes:

– $47.9 million for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project, the last stop along the Chicago River system to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.

– $5 million for the Department of Agriculture to support efforts to address PFAS contamination as well as $2.7 million for the U.S. Geological Service to conduct research on the transmission of PFAS substances in watersheds and aquifers.

– $5 million for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids for the design and eventual replacement of its air traffic control tower.

– $1.38 million to the city of Detroit towards the Joe Louis Greenway West Chicago Connector, which will significantly expand the region’s bicycle and pedestrian connectivity from Belle Isle to Island Park, across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario, and to existing and future trails stretching across the state.

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Also included in the budget bill is funding to expand education, skills training and workforce development at North Central College as well as St. Clair County, Washtenaw, Wayne County and Mott community colleges, and Wayne-Westland Community Schools District.

Included in the omnibus appropriations bill is the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, which advocates said will strengthen democracy by providing clear and updated guidelines for certifying and counting votes for president and vice president.