[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 62 (Monday, April 12, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1864-S1865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                             Infrastructure

  Madam President, on infrastructure, finally, over the next several 
months, the Biden administration has said that it will push a 
comprehensive infrastructure and jobs bill in coordination with 
Congress. This effort could not come at a better time. The American 
Rescue Plan is already delivering on its promise to lift the country 
out of the COVID crisis and set our economy back on the path to 
recovery.
  Over the State work period, I visited scores of restaurants, like 
Essie's in Mount Carmel and Russo's Grill in Amsterdam, that are now 
receiving a crucial lifeline of assistance from the American Rescue 
Plan. I visited small and independent stages and venues, like the Bug 
Jar in Rochester, which will soon receive grants through the Save our 
Stages Act, and I met with community organizations to hear about how 
New York families are receiving thousands of dollars per child through 
the expanded child tax credit--or will be receiving, rather. That is a 
policy that is going to lift millions of American children out of 
poverty during a time of economic hardship for so many.
  The American Rescue Plan is helping the country recover from the 
worst public health crisis in a century and the worst economic crisis 
in three-quarters of a century. Now, not later, is the time to build on 
that solid foundation to create jobs and cement a robust economy.
  The next big step is a long overdue investment and a large and 
significant investment in our Nation's infrastructure. We know that our 
Nation's roads and bridges and railways and waterways and ports are in 
need of an overhaul. So too does our country need investment in modern 
infrastructure projects, like our electric grid, broadband internet 
access, and 5G, just to name a few. President Biden's proposal will 
address both our traditional infrastructure needs and invest in 21st 
century infrastructure projects that America sorely needs.
  Again, this very important work should be bipartisan. This is an 
issue

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that affects all 50 States. Our two parties used to agree on the need 
to reliably invest in infrastructure. We should be able to do that 
again. President Biden is hosting bipartisan discussions about his 
proposal at the White House today and will continue to bring lawmakers 
and stakeholders together to find common ground. I know that the 
administration is going to talk to Members from both sides of the aisle 
to incorporate their ideas.
  Every day now, millions of Americans are getting the vaccine--4 
million on 1 day over the weekend--and we are closer than ever to 
defeating the COVID-19 pandemic. The worst of COVID-19 is, hopefully, 
in the rear view mirror. The streets of New York City, this weekend as 
I wandered about, were more alive than I have seen them in months. Soon 
we will have an opportunity to work together to strengthen our recovery 
and create the jobs of the future. A big, bold investment in our 
Nation's infrastructure is just the way to do it.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

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