Late Friday night, the House passed the long-anticipated trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. The vote was 228-206, with 13 Republicans voting for the measure. The bill now goes to the White House for President Biden’s signature. The Senate passed the legislation in August. The Washington Post characterizes it as a long-sought burst in federal investment and a major legislative win for the president.
The money will be used to improve the nation’s crumbling roads and bridges, internet service and a long list of infrastructure improvements.
When the gavel sounded after 11 p.m., cheers erupted from a mass of members who had crowded around House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). They shared high fives and fist bumps with each other to cap off a tumultuous night.
“Generations from now, people will look back and know this is when America won the economic competition for the 21st Century,” Biden said in a statement lauding its passage.
USA Today writes the bill is the largest transportation package in U.S. history.
The infrastructure bill would provide:
- $110 billion for roads and bridges. More than 45,000 bridges nationwide are rated in poor condition. The bill also includes $16 billion for major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding.
- $66 billion for Amtrak for passenger and freight rail. The bill aims to eliminate Amtrak’s maintenance backlog and to modernize the Northeast Corridor.
- $65 billion to expand broadband internet access. The White House estimated as many as 40 million Americans lack broadband access. Biden initially sought $100 billion.
- $65 billion to rebuild the electric grid with renewable energy and thousands of miles of new power lines.
- $55 billion to upgrade water systems, with a goal of replacing the country’s lead service pipes.
- $42 billion for airports, waterways and port infrastructure. Airports would receive $25 billion.
- $39 billion for public transit. The bill aims to repair and upgrade transit systems and make stations more accessible to elderly and passengers with disabilities.
- $7.5 billion for charging stations for electric vehicles and $7.5 billion for electric buses.
Six progressive Democrats voted against the measure.
For months, progressives had wanted to link the infrastructure bill to another trillion-dollar bill that would provide a social safety net for Americans. That bill was put on hold and the infrastructure bill moved forward to a vote.
President Biden said of the passage “Tonight, we took a monumental step forward as a nation.”