The U.S. Senate passed a major bipartisan infrastructure deal on August 10 by a vote of 69-30, with a total of 19 Republicans joining all 50 Democrats in the affirmative. The $1 trillion infrastructure proposal, which seeks to improve the country’s roads, bridges, pipes, ports, and Internet connections, was crafted by a bipartisan group of Senators.
The infrastructure plan provides $110 billion of new funds for roads, bridges, and major projects, and reauthorize the surface transportation program for the next five years. It also includes $40 billion of new funding for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, and around $16 billion for major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs. It also includes $39 billion for mass-transit and $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV chargers. The bill includes $17 billion in port infrastructure and $25 billion in airports to address repair and maintenance backlogs and reduce congestion near ports and airports. The bill includes a large amount for passenger rail including $22 billion as grants to Amtrak, $24 billion as federal-state partnership grants for Northeast Corridor modernization, $12 billion for partnership grants for intercity rail service, including high-speed rail, $5 billion for rail improvement and safety grants, and $3 billion for grade crossing safety improvements. Additionally, the bill includes roughly $55 billion in new investment for drinking water infrastructure.
In addition to this package, Senate Democrats could also try to move a roughly $3.5 trillion economic package through the reconciliation process. The House passed a surface transportation bill earlier this summer, and both chambers will begin to negotiate a final bill which could be considered this fall.
Additionally, by a 50-49 party-line vote, Senate Democrats cleared a procedural hurled to pass a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill that proposes to expand Medicare, increase federal child care and education programs, increase funds to combat climate change, and other key Democratic priorities. The budget resolution would allow Democrats to approve an additional $3.5 trillion spending plan without Republican votes, however support from the full Democratic caucus in the Senate will be necessary for the plan’s final passage.
NEMWI President Interviewed on CBS National News on Congressional Redistricting Process
NEMWI President Michael J. Goff was interviewed as part of a CBS national news report on the Congressional redistricting process during their morning news program on Friday, August 13. Goff highlighted the importance of the redistricting process, citing its significance for national politics and policymaking and noting how most people in states around the country are not even aware that it is happening in the coming months.
Goff was interviewed in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Common Cause Maryland, the state organization of Common Cause in Washington, D.C.
FOLLOW us on Twitter! The Northeast-Midwest Institute is on Twitter with new updates and information on its regional research and policy education program and with announcements for upcoming briefings and events. NEMWI is posting our research reports on current regional issues and ongoing policy education on the page to make keeping up with our policy work easier than ever. The Institute also is updating the page with announcements of upcoming policy briefings and webinars. NEMWI is excited for the opportunity to connect with as many people as possible on our Twitter page.
Please check out our Twitter page here or by searching @NEMWInstitute. And be sure to FOLLOW us to keep up to date with NEMWI on Twitter!
Follow the Northeast-Midwest Institute on Facebook
LIKE us on Facebook! The Northeast-Midwest Institute is on Facebook with new updates and information on its regional research and policy education program and with announcements for upcoming briefings and events. NEMWI is posting our research reports on current regional issues and ongoing policy education on the page to make keeping up with our policy work easier than ever. The Institute also is updating the page with announcements of upcoming policy briefings and webinars. NEMWI is excited for the opportunity to connect with as many people as possible on our Facebook page.
Please check out our Facebook page here. And be sure to LIKE us to begin following NEMWI on Facebook!
