[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H335-H336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         BIDEN ADMINISTRATION LEADS POSITIVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Garcia) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the 
continued positive economic recovery led by the Biden administration.
  In December, the Texas unemployment rate dropped all the way down to 
5 percent compared to 12.9 percent at the height of the pandemic.
  Service sector employment is now up above prepandemic levels, but a 
strong economy for the future is only possible with smart investment 
today. That is why the benefits the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act will bring to my home State of Texas are critically vital. The 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is bringing jobs, opportunities, 
and a better quality of life for Texans.
  For Texas, the infrastructure bill means more than $35 billion in 
projects alone, and that is just our State. These projects include 
replacing old lead pipes from schools, increasing broadband access, 
road and bridge repairs, and the maintenance of ports. And all this 
means jobs, jobs, and more jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to outline some of the biggest 
provisions for Texans.
  First, Texas is expected to receive $537 million to repair 818 
bridges across the State, many in my district. This is huge.
  Next, Texas will get about $1.2 billion for infrastructure 
development for airports. Airports are critical, not just for 
travelers, but because they are hubs for workers. And, of course, that 
means jobs.
  And Texas will receive at least $100 million to help provide 
broadband internet coverage across the State. These dollars will 
provide access to at least 1,058,000 Texans who currently lack high-
speed internet. Mr. Speaker, every time I go back home to south Texas, 
I am one of those Texans at my sister's house. She has no high-speed 
internet.
  As we have learned from the pandemic, internet is no longer a luxury; 
it is a necessity. So this funding is critical.
  Mr. Speaker, $2.9 billion is headed to Texas to improve water 
infrastructure. This will ensure that clean, safe drinking water is 
accessible in all communities, in their homes and their schools.
  For decades, Texas infrastructure has suffered due to lack of 
investment. We have seen it plenty of times, especially from last 
year's electrical grid failure to the damage to pipelines, roads, and 
bridges due to regrettably more frequent natural disasters.
  It is time for Texans to have working infrastructure that protects 
them, not hurts them.

[[Page H336]]

  This law will kickstart new projects, create jobs, and put Texas on 
the right track. And that, Mr. Speaker, means that working families 
will have a better quality of life across the State.

                          ____________________