June 10, 2021

After 19-Hour Markup, Committee Advances Two Major Pieces of Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize America’s Infrastructure, Create Jobs, and Restore U.S. Global Competitiveness

Chair DeFazio: “Infrastructure is calling, and we are answering with bold legislation that invests in American workers and communities” 

Washington, DC – Today, led by Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved two major pieces of infrastructure legislation on a bipartisan basis during a 19-hour markup, both of which make transformational investments to modernize America’s roads, bridges, highways, rail, transit, and wastewater systems. The policy changes advanced in committee today mark a significant departure from status quo infrastructure legislation of the past in order to catapult our country into a new era of smarter, safer, more resilient infrastructure that fits our evolving economy and society and cuts carbon pollution. The INVEST in America Act and the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021 now advance to the full House.

“Infrastructure is calling, and we are answering with bold legislation that invests in American workers and communities and lays the groundwork for the president’s visionary Americans Jobs Plan,” said Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR). “I commend my colleagues for their hard work helping craft these two bills to deliver what Americans expect and deserve: safe roads and bridges, reliable transit options and a robust passenger rail network, wastewater systems that aren’t on the brink of failure, and a commitment to address the existential threat of climate change. In many ways, the choice couldn’t be easier—because the best part of rebuilding our infrastructure for the modern era is the incredible opportunity for our nation that comes with it. We’re talking millions of good-paying jobs that can’t be exported, real and sustained support for U.S. manufacturing, and the chance to make our nation a world leader once again. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that we can’t afford to miss.”

More information on the transformational legislation advanced today:

H.R. 1915, The Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021

The Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021, which passed out of committee on a bipartisan vote, would invest $50 billion to address wastewater infrastructure needs throughout the country, including $40 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a program that Congress has not reauthorized since 1987. This bipartisan legislation is supported by more than 110 organizations that have endorsed the funding levels in the bill—ranging from municipalities, to environmental organizations, to labor groups, to small businesses, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

More information on H.R. 1915 can be found here.

H.R. 3684, the INVEST in America Act

The INVEST in America Act, which passed out of committee 38-26, is a five-year, $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill that directs federal investments in roads, bridges, transit and rail. This legislation can create millions of good-paying jobs, restore our global competitive edge, reduce carbon pollution that drives the climate crisis, and make our communities safer, more equitable, and better connected.

More information on the INVEST in America Act can be found here. Learn more about specific provisions, watch messages from mayors from around the country calling on Congress to act, see our growing list of supporters, and much more.

For more information on the committee markup, click here.

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