The Bipartisan Infrastructure bill just passed and here's what you need to know.

On Friday, 5 November, Congress passed a historic bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, delivering new federal investments in America’s roads and bridges as well as the nation’s broadband, water, and energy systems. The Senate approved the bill earlier this year; now that the Democratic majority in the House has passed the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act, President Biden should be signing it into law next week.

Most of the bill's $500 billion will go into repairing, replacing, and rehabilitating existing infrastructure, modernizing and expanding the mass transit system. This investment is sorely needed and should increase the efficacy of transportation and safer travel, a core component of Biden’s recovery plan. Additionally, the bill focuses heavily on providing for rural, disadvantaged, and hard-to-reach communities, which are often neglected.

In short, this bill will:

Invest $110 billion in bridge, highway, and road repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, with $40 billion dedicated to bridges
Invest $100 billion in expanded broadband access in order to provide every American access to affordable, reliable, and high-speed broadband
Invest $39 billion in explaining public transportation systems and improving access for people with disabilities
Invest $80 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure, address water contamination, and replace lead pipes
Modernize the power grid to make it more reliable and resilient to power outages
Improve runways, terminals, gates, and taxiways at airports

While Emgage applauds the passage of this bill and the bipartisan support that ensured its success, we urge Congress to also vote on the Build Back Better Act to fund vital programs such as expanded and affordable child care, universal pre-K, carbon emissions reduction, and an expansion of Medicare services. Biden’s infrastructure bill promises to provide millions of new jobs; the Build Back Better bill aims to tackle inequality and inaccessibility. Both bills are necessary to strengthen the economy and provide relief for American families.

Emgage strongly supported the passage of both bills simultaneously; however since the infrastructure bill has passed separately, it is time to focus on the Build Back Better Act and follow through on the Biden administration’s promises to the American people.

Best regards,

Wa'el Alzayat, Emgage Action CEO