Rep. Defazio Leads Effort to Send Landmark Infrastructure Bill to President Biden's Desk

Statement

Congressman Peter A. DeFazio (OR-04) yesterday voted in support of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), landmark legislation that will invest in America's roads and bridges, water infrastructure, resilience, internet, and more.

Congressman DeFazio has fought his entire career for legislation that rises to the historic challenge of rebuilding our country and leading the world in the fight against climate change. As Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, DeFazio is playing a key role in the drafting and enactment of President Biden's Build Back Better agenda which will create good-paying jobs, invest in American workers, and position our world to be the leader in clean energy and transportation.

"Today, House Democrats are building back better for the American people. The long-overdue investments in our nation's infrastructure included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will grow the economy, strengthen our global competitiveness, create good-paying union jobs that can't be sent overseas, and make our communities more resilient, livable, and equitable. In particular, this bipartisan infrastructure bill will make badly-needed improvements to our rail systems, bridges and highways, transit, water, and broadband infrastructure, as well as our ports and airports--investments I have championed for years, both in the minority and majority, and under Republican and Democratic administrations.

"Furthermore, this bill will help ensure our infrastructure can face our most pressing challenges, including an important down payment on addressing the climate crisis head on by reducing carbon pollution from the transportation sector, as well as upgrading our port infrastructure to help alleviate the current supply chain crisis.

"I'm excited to see the president sign this landmark bill into law. The American people expected results--this week, House Democrats delivered a key piece of the Build Back Better agenda, but we're not done yet. The House must now pass the Build Back Better Act and send it to the Senate."

The need in Oregon is clear. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Oregon a C- grade on its infrastructure report card. Specifically, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Oregon will receive:

$3.4 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $268 million for bridge replacements and repairs
$747 million over five years to improve public transportation options around the state
$529 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities
$211 million to support infrastructure development for Oregon airports
$52 million over five years to support the expansion of EV charging stations across the state, along with the opportunity to apply for $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging
$100 million minimum to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 13,600 Oregonians who currently lack it. Under the IIJA, 23 percent of Oregonians or 945,000 people will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet.
$39 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $15 million to protect against cyberattacks.

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