The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Explained
By now I’m sure you’ve heard that I voted to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act–better known as “the Infrastructure Bill” of “BIF”. The Infrastructure Bill is a $1.2 TRILLION investment in our physical infrastructure.
You are probably wondering what’s in this for me?
And I’m here to tell you: a LOT.
While the final tally is still in progress, Georgia is guaranteed to receive $13.6 BILLION for projects – including those here at home in Georgia’s Fifth District, like the Downtown Connector, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, MARTA, and so much more. That number is just a start, with several billion dollars from the Department of Transportation for transit funding as another example of the massive investments headed our way.
Here’s the breakdown of the just some of the historic investments included in the $13.6 BILLION for Georgia that will directly benefit EVERY community, including:
- $9.3 billion for Georgia highways
- $1.4 billion for Georgia transit
- $1 billion for Atlanta transit
- $913 million to improve water infrastructure
- $619 million for Georgia airports
I’ve championed many of the investments in the Infrastructure Bill for the past 11 months, including:
- $1 billion to reconnect neighborhoods divided by interstate projects, like the Connector and I-20 that separated Black neighborhoods in Atlanta.
- The single-largest investment in mass transit which aligns with my work to increase transportation equity and justice.
- Universal high-speed internet, because we saw during the pandemic how access to a quality internet connection is essential–but out of reach for so many
- Removing lead pipes from EVERY building and water system to ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
- Transitioning to a clean energy economy so we can deliver the Green New Deal and leave a healthy planet for our children.
We are going to create millions of good-paying union jobs that can’t be outsourced as we complete desperately-needed projects in our communities. We still have work to do. The next step is passing the Build Back Better Act, which will make historic investments in the human infrastructure families need to truly thrive, like:
☑️Affordable housing
☑️Child Care
☑️Closing the health care coverage gap
☑️Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
☑️Universal paid family and medical leave for all
☑️Climate action
☑️Making the expanded Child Tax Credit permanent.
From the first payments on July 15th, the Biden Child Tax Credit has cut the child poverty rate in HALF. I’ve heard from families and partners here in the Fifth District that the Child Tax Credit payments are reducing food insecurity and serving as a vital financial lifeline for families. The Joint Economic Committee reports that 77,000 Child Tax Credit monthly payments were sent to families in Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District in August. A total of $31.6 million in tax cuts went back in the pockets of hardworking Fifth District families. Statewide, 1,267,000 monthly tax cut payments totaling $536.6 million went to families in August. The average payment was $424. Now that we’ve seen that these Child Tax Credit payments work, we must make them permanent by fully investing in the care economy and human infrastructure we need to thrive.
So what’s the big deal about BIF and BBB? I’ve always said we need both, and my House Democrats, President Biden and I plan to deliver. When we voted to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we also voted on a measure to set the rules for debate on the Build Back Better Act, so we expect this vote in the coming weeks. It’s time to fully Build Back Better for the people! Stay up to date with the latest news by following me on my official social media pages.