WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Black Leaders Applaud Passage of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal – a once-in-a-generation investment that will create millions of jobs, modernize our infrastructure, and tackle the climate crisis – passed the House and now heads to President Biden's desk for his signature.

For far too long, Washington policymakers have celebrated "infrastructure week" without ever following through. The American people made it clear: we need to deliver. The President and Congressional Democrats proved we can.

Black leaders praised the President and the lawmakers who worked across the aisle to pass the historic legislation, which will make a real impact in communities across the country, and put us on a path to win the economic competition for the 21st century.

See below for what they are saying:

Organizations

NAACP: "NAACP applauds the passage of the Infrastructure & Jobs Investment Act. Black Americans have borne the brunt of outdated roads and bridges; they have been disproportionately affected by toxic Superfund sites and lead pipes in their communities. Black communities remain the least connected to the internet, exacerbating already-existing disparities in economic, health, and educational achievements. Unemployment rates for Black people have long trailed behind those for other groups. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), will significantly enhance the quality of life for Black communities across the nation.

"The NAACP now eagerly awaits the approval of the Build Back Better Act, which will have a revolutionary effect on resolving long-standing racial inequities in education, health care, employment, and child care access. Together, these two packages mark a significant milestone for Black communities and families around the country." [Statement, 11/6/21]

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League: "Today, Congress prioritized the American people by passing the long-awaited Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with a vote of 228 to 206. We are also pleased to hear the House of Representatives voted on a rule that will allow for the passage of the Build Back Better Act. Our communities have struggled to achieve the American dream of economic prosperity for generations and this bill will restore hope that this dream is still possible.

"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide $1.2 trillion in historic investments in our nation's core infrastructure and economic commitments to our children, families, and communities to ensure a more equitable economic future for all. Specifically, this bill will:

• Modernize railways, roads, bridges, airports;
• Create hundreds of thousands new high-skilled jobs;
• Address the climate crisis;
• Make high speed internet accessible and affordable for all families;
• Increase transportation options; and
• Invest in opportunities for minority businesses.

"The National Urban League has fought tirelessly to ensure that the priorities of the organization, and that of our constituents, were met in the final version of this bill. Many of which are outlined in our Mainstreet Marshall Plan and Lewis Latimer Plan for Digital Equity and Inclusion. We will also work to ensure that implementation includes jobs and business opportunities for African American businesses.

"While we celebrate this victory for American families, we must still recognize the work that still needs to be done to pass the Build Back Better Act. Yesterday, the National Urban League submitted a vote recommendation to Congress stressing the importance of passing both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act, highlighting that both bills are key components of the Biden Administration's economic agenda to rebuild the middle class.

"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act is a once in a generation investment in the American people and their futures. We thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Congressional leaders for their continued leadership and their efforts to help this nation recover from the pandemic and years of neglecting our physical and human infrastructure, so that we can build back better and stronger than ever." [Statement, 11/6/21]

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston, TX, President, African American Mayors Association: "Friday marked a monumental victory for our entire country. Lawmakers passed a landmark bipartisan infrastructure bill, and the Build Back Better Act will receive a vote soon. There is no question that these bills combined will transform our nation for decades to come.

"The two bills will help make enormous progress toward uplifting communities of color across the nation. The bills provide a huge infusion of funding to fix our crumbling infrastructure and build healthier, more walkable communities -- while creating jobs. They also mark our nation's largest-ever commitment to environmental justice. The plans include desperately-needed investments to combat climate change -- like funding to control flooding and modernize our electricity grid to improve access to renewable energy. Importantly, there's additional funding to remove lead service lines throughout our older cities to eliminate potential water disasters like we saw in Flint and Benton Harbor, Michigan. Furthermore, the bills will help close the digital divide by expanding access to high speed internet so all Americans have an opportunity to compete in the 21st century global economy.

"The bills will improve access to economic prosperity through provisions that strengthen health care, affordable housing, child care, and employment. For example, the package includes four weeks of paid family leave -- a revolutionary provision to strengthen families and help working parents maintain their jobs. The package could also create more than one million affordable homes, provide significant funding for youth apprenticeship programs, target new money for programs that serve out-of-school youth in high-crime and high-poverty areas, and fund employment activities for justice-involved young adults who have dropped out of school.

"The list goes on. Together the infrastructure and Build Back Better plans represent a promise fulfilled to communities of color. Now, we need to make sure the latter makes it through the House and the Senate. When that happens, the United States will take a giant leap toward becoming the equitable nation we all deserve." [Statement, 11/6/21]

Members Of Congress

Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus: "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will:
-Invest in communities that are often left behind
-Fight the climate crisis
-Create good-paying union jobs
-Grow our economy" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. James Clyburn (SC), House Majority Whip: "The bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act is a huge deal for rural America. This once-in-a-generation investment includes $65 billion to expand broadband access and make service more affordable. This is how we close the digital divide." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Democratic Caucus Chair: "The House has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill is on its way to President Biden's desk. And millions of good-paying jobs are on the way to the American people!" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Joe Neguse (CO): "The Bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act represents a monumental investment in the future of Colorado and our country. I was honored to secure key priorities for our Colorado communities." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Gwen Moore (WI): "The infrastructure bill includes much-needed funds to ensure Americans can access affordable, high-speed internet. This is how we build a 21st-century economy." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL): "Better roads and bridges, good-paying jobs, improved water infrastructure, access to high-speed internet. Lookout, Alabama—Better infrastructure is on its way! Raising hands" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Bobby Scott (VA): "This bill represents a much-needed investment in jobs and our economy as we rebuild America's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and broadband, as well as making our electric grid more resilient to climate change." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS): "I am proud to be the only Congressman in the state of Mississippi to vote for H.R. 3684, the Infrastructures and Jobs Act. Our water system, roads and bridges, and public transit will be repaired and restrengthen like never before. #InfrastructureBill" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX): "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill helps us tackle the climate crisis by making the largest investment in clean energy transmission and EV infrastructure in history; electrifying thousands of school and transit buses across the country." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI): "Yes we did! The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is delivering jobs, clean water, and historic funding to fix our infrastructure. @HouseDemocrats delivered for the American people. But our work isn't done yet. We also need the #BuildBackBetter Act." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Dwight Evans (PA): "Tonight I voted for a landmark #infrastructure bill to create millions of jobs and make long-overdue repairs to the nation's roads, bridges, transit, water and sewer systems" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE): "I was proud to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill on Friday that will deliver $1.2 trillion in funding for America's surface transportation infrastructure. But our work isn't done. We must pass the #BuildBackBetter Act to help working families." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV): "I'm so proud of the key role @TheBlackCaucus played to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal & advance the Build Back Better Agenda. Our Power and Our Message is ensuring that no community is left behind — we're ready to deliver transformative change." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Sen. Raphael Warnock (GA): "We worked in Congress to pass a bipartisan bill that will help strengthen our economy and nation with significant investments in public transportation, rural broadband, roads and bridges, clean water and more. This deal is going to ensure a brighter future for *all* Georgians." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

State And Local Officials

Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, WI: "It's historic: Democrats and Republicans have come together to invest billions in Wisconsin jobs & families. Ron Johnson fought (and prayed) to stop this. We have to defeat him and elect a Senator who will stand up for the people of Wisconsin." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

New York Attorney General Tish James: "This is a historic day for our nation. The Bipartisan #InfrastructureBill will create strong union jobs, invest in our roads, bridges, clean energy, and truly make a difference in the lives of millions of New Yorkers and Americans." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mississippi State Senator Derrick Simmons: "I am ecstatic that the systemic lack of investment in roads/bridges, water/sewer, broadband, airports, and ports is over! This once in a generation @POTUS #BidenHarris #Infrastructure bill will bring billions to #Mississippi!" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Pennsylvania Senator Sharif Street: "Policy must meet people where there are. Passage of the #infrastructure bill lowers costs for working families create good-paying, union jobs that can't be outsourced and puts us on a path to win the economic competition for the 21stcentury" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes: "The Infrastructure Bill will create 2 million new jobs per year! Thank you @POTUS Joe Biden and @VP Kamala Harris for #PuttingThePeopleFirst" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Virginia State Sen Jennifer McClellan: "Last night, the U.S. House passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This significant legislation will improve the lives of Virginia families by repairing and rebuilding roads and bridges, investing in public transportation, expanding broadband, and more. " [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones: "History made. Jobs created. Lives and communities will change. This is a WIN! #InfrastructureBill" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta: "A government that works for working people invests in broadband, clean water and transit, environmental remediation, and so much more. This is good news for Pennsylvania. Now onward to get the rest of #BBB" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston, TX: "The infrastructure bill passage is a big deal as there's a critical need of resources: from wastewater treatment facilities, roads, bridges, the port, transit and in so many different areas. We have projects that are ready to go to shovel ready right now." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Richmond, VA:
"I can't think of a better investment for our families, our workers, and our communities. Thankful that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will help restore America's ailing and aging infrastructure. Let's #BuildBackBetter!" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans, LA: "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Invests $7.5B in Electric Vehicle Charging infrastructure! New Orleans is already partnering with @EntergyNOLA to construct public EV Charging stations around the City We're hopeful for more dollars to expand that program." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago, IL: "As part of the @WhiteHouse's #BuildBackBetter initiative, I welcome passage of the federal infrastructure bill with historic investments to build safe, walkable, and accessible communities that create jobs for our residents." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, St. Louis, MO: "The $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will bring federal dollars to St. Louis to repair our roads, invest in public transit, and expand broadband internet service." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Denver, CO: "President Biden promised to work across the aisle and forge consensus to deliver results –and he made it happen.The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will: create millions of jobs modernize our infrastructure prepare us to win the economic competition for the 21st century" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor Melvin Carter, St. Paul, MN: "It's exciting to finally see Washington DC pass this major investment in our national #infrastructure. We've waited years for this bill! #BuildBackBetter" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington, DC: "The Bipartisan #Infrastructure Deal is a once-in-a-generation investment that will create millions of jobs modernizing our infrastructure thus providing more Americans a #FairShot and will turn the climate crisis into an opportunity @JoeBiden @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Mayor-elect Eric Adams, New York City, NY: "Our members of Congress in NY stood together for NYers to pass critical legislation that saved NYC from disaster during COVID—and now we need them to unite again & vote for our subways, buses, trains & roads to get our city moving again. Let's get the infrastructure bill done." [Tweet, 11/6/21]