Sánchez votes for Bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON – On Friday night, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38) voted to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will revitalize our nation's infrastructure, grow our economy, create millions of good paying jobs, and help build a clean and sustainable future. Also on Friday night, Congresswoman Sánchez voted to begin consideration of the Build Back Better Act, setting the larger spending package up for a vote in the coming weeks.

"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create good-paying, union jobs – many of which will be in clean energy, helping us take critical next steps in protecting our planet and addressing climate change," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "It also allocates millions of dollars to making sure our streets are safe for all commuters and ensures American families – no matter where they live – have access to reliable internet and clean drinking water."

"Finally, this legislation will directly benefit Southern Californians by making major investments in our ports, railways, highways, and bridges – many of which are decades-old and in dire need of repairs."

Congresswoman Sánchez concluded: "President Biden and Democrats in the House and Senate promised big, bold action for working families across this country. Today's vote to invest in our infrastructure is just one step in delivering on our promise. I look forward to passing the Build Back Better Act in the House very soon."

Here are some key elements to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

Revitalizes our roads, highways, and bridges – The legislation will invest $110 billion of new funds for roads, bridges, and major projects, and reauthorize the surface transportation program for the next five years. It will repair and rebuild our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. The bill also includes $40 billion of new funding for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, which is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system.

Creates millions of good-paying, union jobs – The legislation will add, on average, around 2 million jobs per year over the course of the decade, while accelerating America's path to full employment and increasing labor force participation. Many of these jobs will be in clean energy manufacturing.

Combats climate change and pollution – The legislation will invest over $50 billion to protect against droughts, floods, and wildfires, in addition to a major investment in weatherization. The bill includes funds to clean up Superfund and brownfield sites, reclaim abandoned mine land and cap orphaned gas wells. It also invests $55 billion to replace all the nation's lead pipes and service lines and remove dangerous PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) chemicals, a major source of contamination in our community, from our drinking water – representing the single largest investment in clean drinking water in American history.

Expands access to high-speed internet for all Americans – The legislation's $65 billion investment – which builds on the billions of dollars provided for broadband deployment in the American Rescue Plan – will help ensure every American has access to reliable high-speed internet. The bill will help lower prices for internet service by requiring funding recipients to offer a low-cost affordable plan, and create a new, permanent Affordable Connectivity Benefit program to help more low-income households access the internet.

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