Thanks in part to the hard work of LIUNA members in electing Laborer-friendly politicians and encouraging your representatives to do the right thing, Congress has passed a historic $1.2 trillion Infrastructure bill on Friday night. Support came from members of both parties, sending the proposal to the President for his signature. It previously passed the Senate with bipartisan support in August. President Biden will sign the bill into law as it is part of his “Build Back Better” agenda.

What is in the Infrastructure Bill

Washington, D.C. sends money to states for various construction programs every year. The bipartisan infrastructure bill will nearly double that funding every year for the next five years. This will create tens of thousands of additional construction jobs by investing an additional:

  • $121 billion for road & bridge construction
    • includes $40 billion for bridge construction — the largest investment since the interstate highway system was built
    • includes $11 billion for traffic safety projects
  • $55 billion for water & sewer projects, the largest investment in U.S. history
  • $50 billion for flood control
  • $65 billion for broadband installation
  • $25 billion for airport construction
  • $17 billion for port construction
  • $39 billion for public transit, the largest investment in U.S. history
  • $66 billion for passenger rail
  • $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging stations
  • $65 billion for electric transmission lines

How it Passed

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 69-30 in August. Every Democrat and 19 Republican Senators supported the measure, sending it to the House. After missing several self-imposed deadlines, the House passed it by a vote last week of 228-206. All but six Democrats supported passage and were joined by 13 Republicans. President Biden has indicated he will sign the bill into law.

Republicans in the Midwest Region Who Supported the Job Creation Bill

About 40 percent of Republican Senators (19 out of 50) supported the construction program, but only 13 Republican Representatives did so. The following Republican lawmakers from the Midwest Region supported creating tens of thousands of jobs for Laborers and other construction workers:

  • Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
  • Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE)
  • Sen. Chuck Grassely (R-IA)
  • Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
  • Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)

Democrats in the Midwest Region Who Opposed the Job Creation Bill

Every Democrat in the Senate and all but six in the U.S. House supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure program. There was only Democrat from the Midwest Region to oppose the package:

  • Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO)

How it Will Be Paid For

The bipartisan infrastructure bill will be paid for by redirecting unused COVID relief funds as well as strengthening enforcement of taxes on cryptocurrencies and anticipated tax revenues related to job creation.

The historic nature of this bill cannot be overstated. This Plan represents the largest Federal investment in our nation’s infrastructure — and Union jobs — in generations. The work is not done, it’s just beginning.