Santa Claus arrived early, bringing a big bag bursting at the seams with $1.2 trillion-worth of jobs-boosting infrastructure projects.
On the lawn of the White House, Santa (aka President Joe Biden) joined with others to celebrate passage of the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.” It was a historic moment – the biggest, most comprehensive infrastructure package in decades. Like ObamaCare, it’s a big deal. Let’s rejoice.
My only concern is that greedy, corrupt factions might hog some of the funding for boondoggle schemes. Strict oversight, transparency and accountability are crucial when that many billions of federal funds are involved.
President Biden delivered. So unlike the former president who crowed so often about infrastructure needs and did nothing about them. Like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Biden knows how to “herd cats.” He is a master in communicating with contentious legislative factions and in achieving deals through major compromises. In this bill, Biden got about half of what he wanted, but a half a loaf (especially in this case) is better than none.
As I watched the signing ceremony on TV, three thoughts sprang to mind: the horrific Aug. 1, 2007 collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis, killing 13 motorists during rush hour; the lead water pipes in Flint, Michigan that were poisoning people and stunting children’s minds; and the many thousands of deep potholes I’ve had to swerve to avoid driving over throughout the years.
The bill was passed in the House on a vote of 228-206, with help from 13 Republican votes. Six Democrats voted against it. Earlier, the Senate had approved it 69-30, with 19 Republican senators voting yes. Some of them have since reported receiving death threats. None of Minnesota’s Republicans voted for the bill; just wait, just watch them try to take credit when wonderful projects strengthen our state.
Minnesota is supposed to receive about $4.5 billion for highways, bridge repairs and replacements, broadband Internet extensions, water-treatment facilities, electrical charging stations for vehicles, and airport improvements – to name just some. The projects and priorities will be determined by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, along with lots of input from residents, local officials and state legislators.
Nationwide, there will be projects like the ones in Minnesota, but also rebuilding electrical grids, expansion of renewable energy sources, environmental mitigation, replacing of lead drinking-water pipes, kick-start projects for electric-vehicle production, and public transit and improvements at sea ports and airports. There are also funds to reconnect communities, mainly predominantly Black communities that had been isolated and/or divided by highway and other infrastructure projects of the past – examples of systemic racism.
This bill is nothing short of a massive rebuilding of America’s structure that will greatly enhance our country and its people.
Suzanne Clark, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, lavishly praised the bill for all of its projects that will, she said, grow the economy and help the environment.
“It is,” she said, “the single largest investment in innovation, efficiency and resiliency to address climate change in U.S. history.”
At the White House ceremony, Biden said this: “Here in Washington, we’ve heard countless speeches and promises, white papers from experts, but today we’re finally getting this done. So my message to the American people is this: America’s moving again, and your life is going to change for the better.”
Thank you, Santa – um – I mean Mr. President.