Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) submitted the following statement for the record, as prepared, following House passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. Not only has Congress enshrined into law a historic investment in the nation’s physical infrastructure but agreed to pass the even more transformative Build Back Better Act by Nov. 15. Thus, with the assurance of all our Democratic colleagues, we are poised to make the most transformational investment in our nation’s history, starting with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would bring nearly $28 billion in direct funding for New York State, including:

·        Over $10 billion for the MTA;

·        Nearly $2 billion for bridge and tunnel repairs;

·        nearly $12 billion to repair roads and highways

·        over $2 billion to improve water infrastructure and broadband coverage; and

·        robust funding for climate resiliency projects

“I rise today in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, record-breaking legislation that will deliver over one trillion in investments to revitalize America’s aging infrastructure and deliver record-breaking resources to advance New York City’s critical infrastructure projects.  For too long, Congress has failed to adequately fund our infrastructure, leaving our country with infrequent and unreliable transit services, congested roads, failing sewer systems, lead in our pipes, and unsafe bridges. The consequences of this failure are clear, the American Society of Civil Engineers gives the nation’s public transit infrastructure a grade of D-. Congress has also done far too little to rectify the great urban planning mistakes of our nation’s past, including the fragmentation of majority-minority communities and failing to alleviate environmental injustice. I applaud the bold investments that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill provides for public transit, bridge repairs, rail, airports, highways, roads, water infrastructure, and climate resiliency. This legislation also makes critical, forward-thinking investments that put our nation on a path towards zero emissions in the transportation sector, tackles transit desserts and disconnected communities and addresses climate injustice.

“As New York continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, I am proud to have worked to ensure that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill includes nearly $28 billion in direct funding for New York State, a substantial increase from the previous infrastructure bill authorized in 2015. This funding includes over $10 billion for the MTA, nearly $2 billion for bridge and tunnel repairs, nearly $12 billion to repair roads and highways, over $2 billion to improve water infrastructure and broadband coverage, and robust funding for climate resiliency projects. I am also pleased that the bill includes over $20 billion to improve rail and rail service throughout the Northeast Corridor. While I am disappointed the bill fails to provide federal support for public transit operations, I am proud that the funding will help lower families' transportation costs, drive economic opportunity, and reduce carbon emissions.

“This legislation does more than deliver funding to rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure; it provides funding to complete new projects of national and regional significance that will connect more Americans to economic opportunity, put underserved communities first, and adequately address the climate crisis. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill provides substantial funding for the Department of Transportation’s Capital Investment Program and the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program, which I helped create as a Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. These programs will allow for the completion of critical projects of importance to New York City like the Cross Harbor Freight Program, Gateway Project, and the Second Avenue Subway.

“Through the passage of this legislation, the House has put key pieces of President Biden’s bold agenda and infrastructure vision–The American Jobs Plan–into text. As our nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill–together with the transformative social infrastructure provisions in the Build Back Better Act–will rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, provide economic relief to American families, and tackle the climate crisis head-on by rebuilding and reimagining our infrastructure. I urge my colleagues to vote yea on this crucial legislation.”