A continuing resolution moving through U.S. Congress is a legislative tragedy for Northwest Indiana, Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said in a Wednesday statement.
Region agency leaders that could have project funds rescinded agree.
“The House Majority has made Northwest Indiana less safe and jeopardizes our potential for economic growth and ability to create more work and wealth,” Mrvan said in his statement. “It is shameful that we have misled our local law enforcement agencies, local units of government, and our veterans and seniors, and I urge my Senate colleagues to reject this harmful measure.”
Mrvan voted against the 2025 full-year continuing resolution, which is a temporary spending bill that allows federal government operations to continue when final appropriations haven’t been approved by the legislative and executive branches, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The legislation passed the House in a 217-213 vote, according to the Associated Press. To pass the Senate, it will need support from all Republicans and at least eight Democrats.
The continuing resolution was created to avert a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September, according to the Associated Press.
The resolution could lead to various rescinded Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding requests in Northwest Indiana, according to Mrvan’s statement. More than $11 million in funding to region agencies could be affected.
Mrvan requested funding for the various projects in July 2024, according to Post-Tribune archives.
“By not including Community Project Funding requests, approved by this institution and the House Appropriations Committee just last year, Indiana’s First Congressional District loses $4 million in approved funds to support equipment and resources for law enforcement agencies and $7 million in approved economic development projects,” Mrvan said in his Wednesday statement.
Ryan Patrick, Crown Point’s chief of police, said in an email Thursday that the city’s department has communicated with Mrvan’s office about the funding. They are aware of the possibility but are hopeful they can still proceed with a planned project.
The Crown Point Police Department requested $1 million to assist with its radio replacement project, which Mrvan’s release said will “enhance operations and support swift, coordinated responses.”
In his email, Patrick said Crown Point is looking to replace 80 portable radios to equip both the police department and the emergency management department. Current radios have been in service since 2013, Patrick said, and the cost of repairing the existing equipment has increased.
“The funds requested for the radio replacement project are an important investment in our department’s infrastructure,” Patrick said. “Upgrading our radio systems will significantly enhance communication during emergency responses and (improve) overall public safety. If the funding is rescinded, it would present a challenge in maintaining and modernizing our communication systems.”
Other Northwest Indiana agencies that could possibly be affected are police departments in Dyer, East Chicago, Griffith, Hobart, La Porte, Schererville and Valparaiso; the town of Cedar Lake; the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority; cities of Gary and Michigan City; Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District; Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure; and Purdue University Northwest.
The Gary/Chicago International Airport requested $850,000 to support the expansion and construction of a heavy cargo logistics apron to enhance increased airport operations, according to Mrvan’s news release.
In a statement Thursday, airport Executive Director Dan Vicari said he plans to closely monitor the outlook of the appropriations legislation and understands that it has to be finalized by the U.S. Senate.
“The Gary/Chicago International Airport has a close and immensely productive working relationship with the Office of Congressman Mrvan,” Vicari said. “Congressman Mrvan is correct that the absence of this funding is a serious impediment to the current economic growth and the recent federal investments and progress made at the Gary/Chicago (International) Airport.”
In his statement, Mrvan also said the legislation reduces health benefits for veterans, and puts health care for seniors and children with complex medical conditions at risk. The continuing resolution also fails to fund the Toxic Exposure Fund, Mrvan said, which puts healthcare for veterans — especially those exposed to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange and radiation — at risk.
The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation at a later date.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
