As 2021 comes to an end, Congressman Seth Moulton reflected on some of the accomplishments made in the past year.
Some key investments in the district that he acknowledged include securing King’s Beach funding in the state American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) surplus bill; this gave $2.5 million to Lynn and Swampscott to improve water quality at King’s Beach, and gave $100,000 to the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission to address combined-sewer overflows in Lynn and Swampscott.
The Lynn Fire Department also received Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance through a firefighter’s grant in the form of $133,565 for operations and safety and $293,600 for vehicle acquisition.
The Nahant Fire Department received a $47,619 grant and the Swampscott Fire Department received a $332,990 grant, both for operations and safety.
The Lynn Community Health Center was awarded $524,964 through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide medication-assisted treatment for recently released incarcerated and homeless individuals.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) received support in funding this past year, with Moulton helping to secure $859.6 million worth of “critical” funding through the federal ARPA bill.
With the new presidential administration making the biggest investment in the nation’s infrastructure, Moulton said this will have a significant impact on Massachusetts.
“Additionally, the House passed the Build Back Better Act — the single most transformative piece of legislation we’ve seen in generations,” Moulton said. “Though it has not made it through the Senate yet, I’d call that pretty successful. It’s also a relief to work with an administration that is honest, dedicated to public service and working to bring the country together rather than tear it apart.”
Living through another year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moulton said there were many critical issues to tackle at the start of the year.
“I came into 2021 with a host of different priorities that my team and I have managed to successfully address, so it’s hard to pick just one accomplishment,” he said.
Some accomplishments he is particularly proud of, however, include the introduction of the GI Bill Restoration Act; passing the Brandon Act, which makes it easier for service members to seek mental-health care confidentially; introducing and passing the Welcomed Act, which assists with Afghan resettlement; and securing $10 billion in funding for high-speed rail after a year and a half.
Looking ahead into 2022, Moulton said he and his team plan to continue creating American jobs and combating climate change, while also pushing for high-speed rail to modernize transportation in the country.
Moulton led a letter to Congressional Appropriators to secure $10 billion for high-speed
rail and other transportation initiatives.
In the new year, Moulton hopes to focus on local investments in regional rail systems, including station rehabilitation and electrification.
“The return on investment in a reliable and convenient transportation system is undeniable,” Moulton said. “It will help bring business to the North Shore and Merrimac Valley while allowing people to commute and live in our communities.”
He is also looking forward to building on all of the work done in 2021, and focusing on the toll the pandemic has taken on the community’s mental health and what resources can be secured to help with this.
“Frontline healthcare heroes, essential workers and young people have been impacted particularly hard, and we need to be sure we are providing adequate care for them,” Moulton said.
Moulton held the most town hall meetings of any member of Congress, House or Senate, in his first term, he said, but he is hoping to transition from virtual events to in-person meetings in the coming year.
“The pandemic has forced us to move to virtual town halls, but I am looking forward to getting back to in-person events and spending time meeting people across our district,” Moulton said.
