It's really, finally Infrastructure Week!
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed the Senate this morning, 69-30:
The package, called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is the culmination of drawn-out and painstaking negotiations between a bipartisan group of senators and the Biden administration and will allow both parties to claim a win after extensive work across the aisle.
It features $550 billion in new federal spending over five years.
Here's a breakdown of some key components of the package:
- The measure invests $110 billion in funding toward roads, bridges and major projects
- $66 billion in passenger and freight rail
- $65 billion to rebuild the electric grid
- $65 billion to expand broadband Internet access
- $39 billion to modernize and expand transit systems
- $7.5 billion to build a national network of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
- $55 billion for water infrastructure, $15 billion of which will be directed toward replacing lead pipes
The bill now goes to the House (which is not in session 😖). Majority Leader Schumer is promising quick action on the next step, the $3.5 trillion budget resolution which will contain funding for major Democratic priorities:
Previewing action on the $3.5 trillion budget resolution, which Senate Democrats will turn to today after they pass the bipartisan bill, Schumer said, “Once this bill is complete, the Senate will immediately turn to the second track in our two tracks strategy, passing a budget resolution that will unlock historic investments in American jobs, American families and the fight against climate change.”
“After we pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill this morning, Senators should expect to vote to proceed to the budget resolution and we will begin the process for debating amendments shortly thereafter. Democrats are prepared to move quickly and decisively through the amendment process,” he said, adding, “the longer it takes to finish the longer the Senate will be in session.”
“The Senate is on track to finish both tracks and deliver an outstanding result,” Schumer added, referring to the Democrats’ two track strategy of pursing a bipartisan bill and a partisan plan that can pass in the Senate without GOP votes.
You represent the majority of America; keep acting like it!
