Joe Biden

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Biden Announces Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

June 24, 2021

Today, President Biden announced a historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework that will make life better for millions of Americans, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and spur economic growth. It's an exciting demonstration that we can come together to deliver progress for the American people.

The framework is the largest investment in our infrastructure in a century, and will position American workers, farmers, and businesses ? small and large alike ? to compete and win in the 21st century.

The announcement was met with praise from economists, unions, community leaders, and state, local, and federal elected officials of both parties who thanked President Biden and the senators who co-wrote the proposal for their collaboration and commitment to delivering for families and communities across the country.

See below for what they are saying:

Unions

Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) General President Terry O'Sullivan: "The bipartisan infrastructure deal announced by the White House is a bold and transformational investment in our nation's infrastructure that will put Laborers to work and help union families build better lives. The $1.2 trillion package will add significantly to existing investment and create hundreds of thousands of good union jobs building our roads and bridges, upgrading our drinking water and power systems, and improving infrastructure resiliency. These investments will bolster our economic well-being and secure our infrastructure for years to come. LIUNA commends the vision of the Biden Administration and the bipartisan group of legislators who have joined with the President to craft an infrastructure package that will build and restore our nation. The collaboration and cooperation from both parties on this historic legislation is both a testament to the importance of infrastructure and an encouraging sign that lawmakers can come together on issues vital to our way of life. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and members of Congress for passage of this legislation and to ensure each and every job created through public spending has the strongest of labor protections." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Greg Regan: "Bold, federal investments in our nation's infrastructure ? the kind that will put millions of people to work rebuilding our country and economy ? have long been a top priority for transportation workers and their unions. The announcement today that President Biden and a bipartisan group of Senators have reached an infrastructure deal looks like a significant step forward in meeting the long-neglected needs of our nation's infrastructure and the working families who rely on it. While much work remains to finalize this agreement, TTD looks forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress to ensure that every dollar spent under this agreed upon framework is paired with the strongest labor protections possible that guarantee good jobs and strong worker protections for the Americans who design, build, operate, and maintain our infrastructure." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Business groups

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clarke: ""Our nation's economic strength and long-term competitiveness depend on a robust and modern infrastructure. We applaud the White House and G21 group of senators for agreeing on a framework to invest in critical, physical infrastructure. We will continue to work with all members of Congress to get this bill passed and signed into law." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Business Roundtable: "Business Roundtable commends Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and the White House for their leadership and persistence in achieving bipartisan consensus on a framework for infrastructure legislation. The proposal would generate historic investment in our highways, water, energy and communications infrastructure, which is key to bolstering the economic recovery, sustaining jobs and ensuring the U.S. is competitive over the long run," said Business Roundtable President & CEO Joshua Bolten. "Bipartisan solutions advanced through a regular order process would also help ensure durable policy changes and allow responsible regulatory streamlining. While many details remain to be resolved, this proposal is the right approach. Business Roundtable endorses the bipartisan framework, and we will put the full weight of our advocacy behind advancing it. We are strongly supportive of the scope of this bipartisan framework to ensure our infrastructure can meet the needs and demands of our country and its dynamic economy for generations to come," said Brendan Bechtel, Chairman and CEO of Bechtel Group, Inc., and Chair of the Business Roundtable Infrastructure Committee. "Today's announcement is great news. We look forward to partnering with Congress and the Administration to promote strong support for bipartisan infrastructure legislation." [Statement, 6/24/21]

National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay: "NRF is encouraged by a bipartisan group of Senators and the Biden Administration finding agreement on a framework for an infrastructure package. Infrastructure has always had strong support across the aisle, so crafting a bipartisan pathway for this essential investment is the surest way to achieve progress. Now more than ever, the U.S. needs significant investment to ensure we remain competitive on a global basis. The retail industry relies on our nation's transportation network to move billions of dollars' worth of merchandise every day to warehouses, distribution centers and stores, and ultimately to consumers' front doors. The ongoing supply chain disruptions that retailers and others are continuing to face highlight the need for investment and reform. As witnessed by the ongoing supply chain challenges facing retailers and others, a major infrastructure package needs to focus on improving the overall system, and prioritize safety, efficiency, resiliency and building for tomorrow's needs. We need to ensure that the legislation includes sustainable funding mechanisms without overburdening the businesses that are leading our economy out of the pandemic." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Small Business for America's Future: "Today's deal between the White House and a bipartisan group of senators to support legislation that would invest $1 trillion in the country's infrastructure is a promising development for small business. We are encouraged that a bipartisan group of lawmakers and the White House are making progress on this important legislation and look forward to reviewing the details of the plan. Small business owners are eager for our leaders to pass an infrastructure plan that will help Main Street businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. In Small Business for America's Future's recent national survey of small business owners, 80% support the American Jobs Plan and 72% say the infrastructure investments it represents will help small businesses." [Statement, 6/24/21]

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons: "This is how we build to win. This shows that governing with big ideas is still possible in America. Bold infrastructure investment will secure a better future for our nation and industry and help more Americans reach their full potential. And building it on a foundation of bipartisanship and consensus will help restore faith in our institutions?and prove that America can still bridge party divides to do great things. We look forward to reviewing this proposal with our members as more details are shared so we can provide meaningful feedback to policymakers. And manufacturers commend this group of lawmakers for their commitment to forging this potentially historic agreement." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Business Forward: "President Biden has brought America together, just like he promised. This bipartisan plan addresses longstanding problems and invests for the future. It also looks out for our most vulnerable communities. Its principal pay-for, reducing the "tax gap," is years overdue: The first step in paying for "build back better" should be to make sure America's wealthiest families pay the taxes they owe but have evaded for years." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Consumer Brands Association Vice President of supply chain and logistics Tom Madrecki: "The consumer packaged goods industry (CPG), responsible for one-fifth of all freight in the United States, depends heavily on our nation's highways and railways to deliver essential products to Americans across the country. We are pleased to see that the Biden administration and members of Congress are prioritizing solutions over politics and have come to an initial agreement. We hope that rhetoric becomes reality in the immediate future. The CPG industry needs dependable roads, bridges and railways to ensure people can reliably get the products they need ? both now and for the future. America must ready its infrastructure for extreme events like the pandemic, build highway infrastructure to support electric vehicle fleets and expand broadband access to match the country's increasing reliance on e-commerce. As the legislation moves forward, Congress must also consider establishing a federal office of supply chain, as outlined in President Biden's American Jobs Plan, as well as addressing the ongoing trucker shortage with updated driver age and truck weight regulations." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Airports Council International ? North America (ACI-NA): "It is great to see bipartisan agreement about the pressing need to upgrade America's airports," said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. "For too long U.S. airports have been underfunded and unable to make many of the terminal, runway, and access improvements needed to keep pace with an increasing number of passengers and flights at their facilities. With airports facing over $115 billion in documented infrastructure needs over the next five years, the $25 billion in new investments called for in today's agreement set the stage for major upgrades at our airports that will help the economic recovery and improve the customer experience in communities nationwide." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Jay Jacobs, Head of Research and Strategy, Global X ETFs: "4+ years ago, we ID'd US Infrastructure Development as a powerful theme - not just bc of the trillions needed to rebuild & repair US infra., but bc of the bipartisan support to tackle this issue. Still a long way to go until this theme is fully realized, but today is a great step." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Commentary

Wolf Blitzer, CNN: "The Democrats and Republicans who worked out this compromise infrastructure deal with President Biden may not agree on every detail, but they worked under this old school DC tradition: Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

John Avlon, CNN: "There was a lot of skepticism and cynicism about Biden's ability to get a bipartisan infrastructure deal. But it worked. And worth noting that McConnell & Co filibustered a $60 billion infrastructure bill proposed by Obama and Dems a decade ago."

Peter Baker, New York Times: "American can function..." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post: "Winners: Steve R., blue collar workers, Biden's negotiating skills losers: prognosticators of certain doom, obstructionists" [Tweet, 5/24/21]

Colby Itkowitz, Washington Post: "As someone who watched the late Jim Oberstar's dream of shepherding a massive infrastructure package die in 2009, an agreement on how to pay for it is a BFD." [Twitter, 6/24/21]

Natasha Korecki, Politico: "This image of Rs and Ds in front of the White House laughing, getting along, talking about compromise is a dream moment for President Biden. No it isn't over. But this is what Biden wanted all along: to say he accomplished the impossible in Washington." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Tim O'Brien, Bloomberg: "It really is infrastructure week this time." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

David Rothkopf, Daily Beast: "It's finally Infrastructure Week." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Matthew Yglesias, The Weeds: "I think a bipartisan infrastructure deal is Good" [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Broadband advocacy groups

NTCA - Rural Broadband Association Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield: "If the last year has taught us anything, it is that broadband is vital 21st century infrastructure," said Bloomfield. "On behalf of NTCA's members, the community-based broadband providers who serve the rural areas they also call home, I want to thank President Biden and the bipartisan group of senators for working so diligently on this historic proposal to improve our nation's infrastructure?not just roads and bridges, but digital infrastructure as well. As a final plan is further defined and comes together, I urge policymakers to aim high and invest in future-proof fiber technology built to last, to ensure that funding is directed towards connecting those most in need first and to coordinate funding among the existing federal and state programs that support and sustain broadband deployment and help keep services in hard-to-reach rural areas affordable. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and the Biden administration to ensure that everyone has meaningful and lasting access to high-quality internet service." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Rural Wireless Association: "Rural Wireless Association commends the work of the Biden Administration and members of Congress across the aisle to reach an agreement on an infrastructure framework that prioritizes reaching high-speed internet to all corners of the country. RWA is supportive of the much-needed investments in state and local broadband infrastructure, 5G spectrum auctions, and rural communities to finally close the digital divide." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Members of Congress

Rep. Carolyn Maloney: "Can't wait to vote for this infrastructure deal AND our reconciliation package to deliver the #AmericanJobsPlan @POTUS promised. Our workers, our caregivers, & our infrastructure are the best investments we can make to help boost our economy." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Rep. Tom Malinowski: "Washington has been talking about an infrastructure deal for years. The president and Congress you elected in 2020 have reached one that meets our 21st Century needs. I'm proud of my part in encouraging the bipartisan compromise and look forward to huge benefits for New Jersey." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Rep. Stephanie Murphy: "Incredibly encouraged by the bipartisan cooperation that led to this deal. Let's get it done." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Rep. Harold Love: "Today's historic Bipartisan #infrastructure framework will improve the lives of many Americans. Clean water for our schools and neighborhoods along with increased internet access are just a few of the things I am glad to see are included." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Senators

Senator Dick Durbin: There is a legitimate, bipartisan effort underway to come to an agreement on infrastructure. This is a big deal. We desperately need to rebuild our infrastructure & create jobs in the process. I have confidence in my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We will get this done." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Senator Angus King: "Proud to be part of the bipartisan group of 21 Senators backing this deal to address America's infrastructure needs. Now, let's get this bill across the finish line to create jobs, fix our crumbling roads and bridges, and expand affordable, high-speed broadband to all Americans." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Senator Jeanne Shaheen: "As @POTUS said: we have a deal. Good-faith negotiations across the aisle in the Senate and with the White House led to this. We kept talking, we kept working and we found common ground. This is how government can and should function. We have more work to do ? let's keep it going." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Governors

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly: "Kansas has a proud tradition of making bipartisan investments in infrastructure. I'm pleased to see lawmakers and the President sharing this commitment to put needs above partisan differences. We're ready to deliver these investments and create growth across the state." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf: "Glad our federal leaders are working across party lines to address our nation's infrastructure crisis. This plan echoes many of the investments I fought for previously under my bipartisan Restore Pennsylvania plan. We must empower communities to thrive in the 21st century." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak: "We stand ready to put shovels in the ground and create jobs for more Nevadans. This federal plan, coupled with the State Infrastructure Bank legislation I signed earlier this month, will help generate significant economic benefits and returns. Let's get to work!" [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan: "The bipartisan infrastructure framework that President Biden endorsed today is a historic opportunity for Maryland and for America. There is no dispute that our nation's roads, bridges, airports, waterways, broadband, and other vital infrastructure desperately need additional invest and that we can do so without raising taxes...There is still more work to be done, and I am ready to do whatever I can to help get this agreement across the finish line." [Tweet, 6/24/21]
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: "President Biden promised to get things done, and he delivered. This infrastructure deal will make historic investments in: ????Public transit ????High-speed internet ???? Clean drinking water Thank you @POTUS for working across the aisle to find common ground and get things done." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Lousiana Governor John Bel Edwards: I commend @POTUS & the bipartisan group of senators on reaching an agreement on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Framework, which delivers on the president's promise of investment into the nation's infrastructure & transportation system. This large-scale funding effort will make a difference across the country, & nowhere will it be more appreciated than in Louisiana. This shows what government can do when we put differences aside, place sustainable policy first & work for what's best for the country. #lagov" [Tweet thread, 6/24/21]

Mayors and Local Leaders

Democratic Mayors: "#WeHaveADeal - and it's going to transform America." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria: "I commend @POTUS and the bipartisan Senate working group for reaching an agreement on infrastructure. From investing in our EV infrastructure, to repairing our roads, to building out our water and wastewater capabilities, this package will greatly help San Diego. #ForAllofUs" [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Long Beach City Mayor Robert Garcia: "Great to hear that @POTUS has brokered an infrastructure deal that rebuilds streets, ports, and bridges - while maintaining our ability to adopt other critical pieces of the American Jobs Plan. Well done, Mr. President. It's a huge boost to local infrastructure." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg: "...As Congress spends this week negotiating the merits of an infrastructure package, we as a city support their efforts to provide resources to communities like ours, so we can continue the work on our city's priorities: to protect our citizens from the impact of flooding and sea level rise, enhance our transportation infrastructure and increase the supply of attainable and affordable housing. Also of note are efforts to include major support for transit in President Biden's American Job's Plan. The inclusion of money for transit state of good repair, accessibility and expansion is critical for communities like ours that know we cannot build our way out of congestion and must maximize our existing right of way capacity...The City of Charleston is ready to support Congress as they push to pass new infrastructure policies that preserve the livability and resident quality of life that make our city so special." [Statement, 6/24/21]

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer: "This is a positive step toward addressing the critical infrastructure needs of our city & nation. I applaud efforts of @POTUS & G20 Senators. I urge Congress to continue this momentum & deliver this legislation so communities can get to work building back better, together." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart: "This plan will create the backbone for Waterloo to build a smart, interconnected city where every resident has access to good roads, nearby transit, and fast internet. Thank you @POTUS!" [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Former Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke: "Our country has so many infrastructure needs (like broadband expansion), and this plan is a great start. Let's get this done." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Mesa Mayor John Giles: "Nothing should be more bipartisan than improving our highways, airports and transit. Thank you @SenatorSinema for working with your GOP colleagues and the @WhiteHouse to bring together a deal that all sides can support. #AmericanJobsPlan" [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti: "Now is the time to make historic investments in our infrastructure. Thanks to @POTUS' leadership, today's tentative agreement brings us one step closer to direct local investments??giving us a chance to redefine how we move, how we live, & how we confront the crises of our time." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock: "Investing in our people is an investment in our safety and our future. The work by our @POTUS & Congressional leaders to come to an agreement on a bipartisan, sustainable; resilient infrastructure framework satisfies the hope of Americans to see this country build back better." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris: "I am encouraged to hear that @POTUS has reached a bipartisan agreement to provide the largest long-term investment in our country's infrastructure in decades. We are hopeful that this agreement could lead to funds for critical projects here in Shelby County. #BuildBackBetter" [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari: "We have a deal!" This new bipartisan plan will help repair the cracks in our nation's #infrastructure and help prevent failures like the bridge in Memphis. The #BidenHarris administration is #BuildingBackBetter. ????????????????" [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Oregon State Senator Steiner Hayward: "@ESHforOregon Great news. Thanks @POTUS for your leadership and thanks to the 10 Senators who put their country's needs first." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald: "Congratulations to @POTUS Biden and this bipartisan group of Senators for coming together for the good of the country. We've been talking about the need for infrastructure investments for years - now you are finally getting it done." [Tweet, 6/24/21]

Joseph R. Biden, WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Biden Announces Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/350578

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