[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 195 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1210-E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN SUPPORT OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3684 INFRASTRUCTURE 
                        INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 2021

  Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
  The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives the overall 
infrastructure in the United States a dismal C- rating--and many of 
ASCE's scoring categories, including roads, waterways, levees, transit, 
and wastewater, score lower than the nation's overall average. Our 
national infrastructure is crumbling, outdated, and in urgent need of 
significant upgrades. Additionally, the largest source of energy-
related carbon dioxide emissions in the country comes from the 
transportation sector, which disproportionately affects low-income 
communities and communities of color. Though this legislation leaves 
out many of the crucial climate provisions in the House-passed INVEST 
in America Act, it still represents a robust and meaningful investment 
in a more connected and resilient nation.
  The IIJA makes overdue investments in our nation's transportation 
sector. IIJA provides $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major 
projects, and makes some notable investments in clean transportation by 
providing more than $20 billion for electric vehicle

[[Page E1211]]

charging infrastructure--the single largest federal investment of its 
kind in history. These investments are necessary, because 43 percent of 
public roadways are in poor condition, 40 percent of the 600,000 
bridges in the United States are at least 50 years old, and more than 
one-third of all bridges need repairs. In addition, the IIJA includes 
over $16 billion for waterway and coastal projects, including $2.25 
billion for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which 
supports investments in projects to upgrade and modernize ports. 
Coastal communities like mine in Oregon understand how important these 
investments are to maintain and expand ports as hubs for commerce, 
employment, and transportation.
  Widespread and dependable public transit systems are necessary to 
create more equitable communities and reduce carbon emissions. Public 
transportation provides communities with affordable commuting options 
that facilitate access to employment, school and daycare, vital health 
care services, and more. The Department of Transportation reports that 
nearly half of the total carbon footprint of the typical American 
family with two cars comes from car transportation. The IIJA provides 
more than $39 billion to support public transit, which will help reduce 
congestion and carbon emissions. This investment is estimated to 
support repairs for more than 24,000 buses, 5,000 rail cars, and 
thousands of miles of tracks, all of which will help connect 
communities and support emissions reductions. The bill also includes $5 
billion for low- and zero-emission buses--including school buses--which 
will help cut emissions that hurt vulnerable communities and students.
  Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of severe 
weather events like the fires, heatwaves, and droughts that the Pacific 
Northwest has experienced over the last year. We must improve our 
nation's infrastructure to withstand and protect people and property 
from these extreme weather events. The IIJA includes $65 billion for 
power and grid infrastructure resilience and expansion. This includes 
funding to support efforts to harden the electric grid against 
disruptive weather events, as well as funding to promote innovative 
demonstration projects that will improve grid resilience. The 
legislation also provides more than $3 billion for wildfire risk 
reduction efforts, including funding for firefighting resources, and $3 
billion for the U.S. Forest Service to implement ecosystem restoration 
projects that can help minimize the spread of wildfires.
  Though broadband access has steadily inclined for the overall 
population, Americans who are non-white, less educated, lower income, 
and residents of rural communities disproportionately have limited 
broadband access. The 19 million Americans that lack access to 
consistent, quality broadband, may have greater difficulty realizing 
certain employment, educational, and social opportunities. To help 
remedy this disparity, the IIJA invests $65 billion for broadband 
investment, including funding for state grants, additional support for 
rural communities and Tribes, and support to accelerate broadband 
uptake through digital literacy training.
  By making crucial investments in our nation's infrastructure, this 
bill will create new, good-paying jobs and will help support our nation 
through the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It represents a 
significant commitment toward a more connected and resilient nation, 
and I applaud the House and Senate for passage of this historic 
legislation.

                          ____________________