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.

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.

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.

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Best regards,

Wa'el Alzayat, Emgage Action CEO