Washington, DC - Today the Environment and Public Works Committee approved by voice vote bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which provides investments in infrastructure and job creation efforts to economically distressed communities. S. 782, the Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011, would authorize EDA from 2011 through 2015 at $500 million per year.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Committee Chairman, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), Ranking Member, and Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) are original co-sponsors of S. 782.

Senator Boxer said: "For the past four decades, EDA has successfully helped create employment opportunities, maintain existing jobs, and stimulate growth in economically distressed communities across the country. EDA can assist some of America's hardest hit areas by leveraging investment, and that is a life line for many regions struggling to recover in these tough economic times. I will continue to work with Senator Inhofe and other colleagues from both sides of the aisle as we move this bill through the Senate."

Between 2005 and 2010, EDA awarded over $1.2 billion in construction-related and revolving loan fund projects. The investments are expected to create more than 314,000 jobs, and each dollar of EDA funding is expected to attract nearly seven dollars in private sector investment. S. 782 makes important changes to EDA programs to ensure funding reaches those communities with the most severe needs in a timely manner. The current multi-year authorization for EDA expired on September 30, 2009.

In addition to the EDA reauthorization bill, the EPW Committee reported two other measures by voice vote today.

• S. 680, the National Women's History Museum Act of 2011, would create a new national museum in Washington, D.C. to honor the role that women have played in American History.

• S. 710, the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act, would provide funding to the Environmental Protection Agency to electronically track the movement of hazardous waste.

The approved bills and amendments are attached below.

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