The Biden administration’s new infrastructure bill passed with a 69-30 vote in legislation. Here’s the complete breakdown of the soon to sign law:
What is the new infrastructure bill all about?
The new infrastructure bill is a bipartisan plan which will help in improving services for the public. This includes rebuilding bridges and roads, boosting broadband, and modernizing public transport among other improvements. Once signed by president Biden, its benefits will reach all corners of the US. The infrastructure bill is historic in terms of the Interstate Highway system and the transcontinental railroad. According to the White House, this project will add around two million new jobs this decade.
The new bill won with a 228-206 vote last Friday, putting a stop to a huge intraparty negotiation where liberal Democrats insisted on being tied. Moreover, the bill was passed by the senate with a 69-30 vote in August following bipartisan negotiation. A total of 13 Republicans voted for passing the bill. “It is not a plan that tinkers around the edges. It is a once-in-a-generation investment in America,” said President Biden.
A detailed breakup: US Infrastructure bill
The bill will be allocating about $39 billion for public transport, helping towards improving and expanding the public transport system in the US. It will also make public transport more accessible for the aged and disabled. In addition to this, the new bill will allow the government to buy more low and zero-emission busses. The bill will also be spending an additional $7.5 billion for installing electric vehicle charging stations. According to the Biden administration, this is critical in pushing the use of electric vehicles and curbing climate change.
In addition to this, the bill is also providing $110 billion for repairs of America’s highways, roads, and bridges. According to the White House data, over 173,000 miles of highways and major roads are in bad condition. Additionally, about 45,000 bridges see a similar plight. The bill will also reduce Amtrak’s backlog maintenance. The bill is allocating about $66 billion for improving the 457 miles long Northeast Corridor among other routes. Other transportation improvements include $25 billion for improving airport gates, runways, terminals, and other old infrastructure.
The Biden administration will also help in improving the nation’s drinking water and making it safer. To achieve this, a total of $55 billion is for water and wastewater treatment. It also has a separate $15 billion for replacing old pipes and $10 billion for reducing or eliminating water contamination from chemicals. Moreover, the legislation’s $65 billion towards modernizing the electric grid and broadband access respectively is another huge grant and aid. It will also boost the carbon capture in addition to improving the power grid. Broadband internet access will soon be better for tribal communities, rural areas, and low-income families.