Katie Britt advances $850,000 to protect Selma's historic buildings

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) has advanced $850,000 in critical funding for Selma.

Sen. Britt secured the funding through the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and the FY25 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Both bills have been favorably reported by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and now await consideration on the Senate floor.

"Most Americans know about Selma because of its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, including Bloody Sunday and the courageous march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge that is commemorated annually through the Jubilee," said Senator Britt. "Sadly, mere feet from this very bridge, history is literally falling into the river. Due to years of erosion along the bank of the Alabama River, the stability of multiple historic buildings in Selma – many that have a direct connection to the Civil Rights Movement – are threatened.

"I have been proud to work with my friend, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, to devote resources to ensure the US Army Corps can continue its critical work on the Selma Alabama Flood Risk Management and River Bank Stabilization Project," continued Sen. Britt. "The FY25 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act includes $550,000 in federal funding for the (Army) Corps (of Engineers) to continue their efforts this year. Combined with $300,000 included in the FY25 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Act, the important work to save these historic buildings will be able to continue."

The Energy and Water bill also includes report language directing the Delta Regional Authority to consider disaster recovery projects in distressed areas included in a disaster declaration as basic public infrastructure or basic public services. This will increase the likelihood of additional needed federal resources going to the people of Selma, following the EF-2 tornado with top winds of 130 miles per hour that barreled through Dallas County on January 12, 2023.

Katie Britt was elected to the Senate in 2022