NEW: ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS CELEBRATE HISTORIC PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL, CALL ON CONGRESS TO PASS BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2021
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]
NEW: ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS CELEBRATE HISTORIC PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL, CALL ON CONGRESS TO PASS BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This weekend, President Biden delivered on his promise to forge consensus and make progress for the American people when Congress sent the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal to the President’s desk. Now, advocacy organizations are weighing in to celebrate these monumental investments that will create a generation of good-paying union jobs, grow our economy, and position the United States to win the race for the 21st century, as well to call on Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act to lower costs, cut taxes for middle and working class families, and ensure the wealthiest Americans finally pay their fair share.
See below for a snapshot of the statements from groups celebrating the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, as well as urging Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act:
Building Back Together: “As the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal heads to the President’s desk, it’s clear that the President has delivered on his promise to break through the gridlock to find common ground. Today’s victory for the American people will deliver a once-in-a-generation investment in rebuilding our country that will grow our economy and boost our productivity. This vote only increases the urgency to get the rest of President Biden’s economic agenda passed…”
Invest in America: “The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is a huge victory for America. This bill’s investments will allow us to address our crumbling infrastructure, create millions of good-paying jobs, drive economic growth, and position the U.S. to lead the global economy. But Congress cannot stop here. We need the Build Back Better Act to ensure we create as many jobs as possible, lower taxes on families, and lower costs for the middle class.”
NAACP: “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), will significantly enhance the quality of life for Black communities across the nation. The NAACP now eagerly awaits the approval of the Build Back Better Act, which will have a revolutionary effect on resolving long-standing racial inequities in education, health care, employment, and child care access. Together, these two packages mark a significant milestone for Black communities and families around the country.”
Small Business for America’s Future: “The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill out of the House of Representatives delivers a generational investment in our nation’s physical infrastructure and is a welcome piece of legislation that will invest resources into small businesses, local communities, and the systems that support a thriving Main Street amid the lingering economic effects of the COVD-19 pandemic. As this bill heads to President Biden’s desk for signature, we urge both the House and Senate to finish the job by quickly passing the Build Back Better Act to deliver on the social infrastructure Main Street needs.”
AFL-CIO: “Victories like this are why we campaigned so hard for President Biden. Finally, at long last, infrastructure week is really here. Today’s final passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a monumental political and legislative accomplishment. After decades of delay and decline, America’s workers stand ready to rebuild our country. […] With the bipartisan infrastructure bill set to become law, the House and Senate must finish the job by sending the Build Back Better Act to President Biden’s desk.”
AFSCME: “The passage of this bill is a watershed moment that is a long time coming. It will create good union jobs, providing the shot in the arm our economy and our communities need […] But Congress’ work isn’t done. The House and the Senate both must move immediately to also pass the Build Back Better Act, which will make unprecedented and urgently needed investments in our human infrastructure.”
IBEW: “Making once-in-a-generation investments in our country, this legislation ushers in a new era of worker-centric prosperity – one characterized by good, union jobs that will put millions to work modernizing our electric grid, repairing and expanding the vital transportation services we all rely on, and creating the reduced-carbon energy solutions that will power our economy well into the 21st century and beyond.”
Laborers’ International Union of North America: “The $1.2 trillion investment will restore our roads and bridges, our water systems, transit, and broadband with historic new investments. The investment will put Laborers to work in every community, revitalize our nation’s economy, and open doors to the middle-class for hundreds of thousands of working men and women.”
Service Employees International Union: “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s important investments in public transportation, clean water, broadband and climate resilience are an important step forward. But Congress’ work is far from over. SEIU members are mobilizing to ensure Congress acts now to build a more resilient, inclusive and equitable country by passing the Build Back Better agenda in its entirety this month.”
Transport Workers Union: “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a monumental victory for transportation workers and all workers in this country. This bill includes historic levels of much-needed federal investment that will repair, modernize, and grow our public transit and passenger rail systems. Not only will it create hundreds of thousands of new, good-paying, union jobs – it will improve job protection standards for workers nationwide.”
American Federation of Teachers: “This bill is a triumph for working people, the economy and the nation. It will better the life of each and every American and stands as a breakthrough after years of talk and bluster about infrastructure, but precious little action…Now, we have the wind at our backs—we are dealing with COVID, adding jobs, and have a second page of history about to be written: child and elder care, pre-K, and climate action in the Build Back Better Act.”
Becky Pringle, National Education Association: “Thank you Joe Biden & Congress. The bi-partisan infrastructure bill is a BIG deal!
✅ Rebuild roads & bridges
✅ Create good union jobs
✅ Replace lead pipes
✅ Electrify school buses
✅ Support rural schools
Now it’s time to finish the job & pass #BuildBackBetter!”
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: “IUPAT members from coast to coast are ready to go to work on the projects that will be funded through the bi-partisan infrastructure bill and we thank those in Congress of both parties who put workers first and voted for the bill. In order to truly move America forward, however, we need the additional investments of the Build Back Better reconciliation bill which will make progress toward fixing labor laws that are rigged against workers; invest in our care economy; and make real inroads to tackle the climate crisis. We urge the House and Senate to immediately get to work to pass this historic investment in working people.”
Environmental Defense Fund: “The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now headed to President Biden’s desk is a valuable and necessary investment in America’s future. The House must now move quickly to pass the Build Back Better Act, which offers a historic opportunity to fight climate change, create millions of jobs and advance a more equitable America.”
Climate Power: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill has passed. Now the House must vote to pass the Build Back Better Act. The most significant climate bill in history will create jobs and lower costs. Failure is not an option.”
Voto Latino: “The $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill is a massive achievement of a long overdue investment in America’s aging roads and bridges, cleaner water systems, expanded broadband access, green energy solutions, and so much more. It’s a sign the Democratic-controlled Congress can deliver for working families, combat climate change, create millions of good-paying jobs, and rebuild our communities for the benefit of future generations.”
American Clean Power Association: “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will invest $73 billion to modernize and enhance the nation’s transmission system. Strengthening the grid is a critical issue to address the climate crisis and enable the deployment of clean energy sources across the country. Now the House and Senate must continue their work on the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) to enact key climate provisions and the largest federal investment in clean energy in American history.”
Main Street Alliance: “Main Street Alliance and our member businesses applaud the House for moving forward two historic pieces of legislation that will support entrepreneurs across the country. With the passage of the IIJA and continued legislative movement on Build Back Better, we are on the precipice of a more equitable economy.”
AARP: “AARP applauds the House passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will make crucial improvements to our nation’s infrastructure and includes specific measures that will benefit the lives of older adults and help keep them connected.”
Mi Familia Vota: “The Latino community values hard work, the ability to contribute and help build our country. The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create good union jobs, providing the shot in the arm our economy and the Latino communities need. The investments are unprecedented, will boost economic growth and create millions of good-paying jobs, bring supply chains back to the U.S. This bill will deliver the largest-ever federal investments in public transit and clean drinking water, in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, in bridges since the construction of the highway system, and the creation of universal internet access for American households.“
Corazon Latino: “Last night, we experienced a watershed moment that will reverberate for generations to come. Corazón Latino is proud of the House of Representatives for passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, which contains spending plans that are critical for our families, our economic prospects, and our Madre Tierra. The investments made through this plan will secure the well-being of our nation starting with tangible gains at the household level and progressing to the jobs, green opportunities, and infrastructure that we need to fulfill our visions for a new tomorrow. We expect Congress to use the momentum of this achievement to immediately work to pass the Build Back Better plan; we must aim for our highest collective endeavor yet.”
Latino Victory Project: “This is a resounding win for the Latino community and for millions of working families across the country. The bill includes provisions that will bring much-needed benefits to the Latino community by creating more jobs, expanding access to high-speed internet, and improving public transportation. It will strengthen our economy by creating millions of good-paying jobs, and it will keep lowering the unemployment rate by putting more Americans back to work.”
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