U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced Thursday new details of the $715 billion INVEST in America Act, which is scheduled to be sent to the House floor this week.
The bill, the congressmen said, will create jobs, rebuild and reimagine the country’s roads, bridges, transit, rail, and wastewater infrastructure, as well as the drinking water infrastructure.
“I’m proud to partner with Chairman Pallone to put forth this bold legislation that will invest in American workers, communities, and manufacturing and catapult our country into a new era of smarter, safer, more resilient infrastructure that fits our evolving economy and society and cuts carbon pollution,” DeFazio said. “The INVEST in America Act delivers what the American people expect and deserve: safe roads and bridges, reliable transit options, a modern passenger rail network, wastewater systems that aren’t on the brink of failure, water that comes out of the tap safe to drink, and a commitment to address the existential threat of climate change. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that we can’t afford to miss. I look forward to bringing the INVEST in America Act to the House floor and continuing to move this legislation toward the finish line.”
The bill allocates $343 billion for roads, bridges, and safety, including $4 billion in electric vehicle charging infrastructure; $109 billion for transit; $95 billion in passenger and freight rail, including $32 billion for Amtrak; $51.25 billion for wastewater infrastructure; and $117 billion for drinking water infrastructure and assistance.
“This legislation makes the critical investments and reforms that are necessary to ensure that all Americans have access to safe drinking water,” Pallone said. “By modernizing our infrastructure, we will also revitalize our economy for the future, create millions of new jobs, combat climate change, and ensure no community is left behind.”