The Senate overwhelmingly approved a $1 trillion infrastructure bill this week that would rebuild the nation’s deteriorating roads and bridges and also earmark money for climate change initiatives.
According to the New York Times, the Senate voted 69 to 30 in favor of the bill.
“This historic investment in infrastructure is what I believe you, the American people, want, what you’ve been asking for for a long, long time,” President Joe Biden said after the vote.
While Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell has said he opposes Biden’s plans, he voted yes on the trillion-dollar package.
“I was proud to support today’s historic bipartisan infrastructure deal and prove that both sides of the political aisle can still come together around common-sense solutions.”
The bill now goes to the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a majority of the 100-member Progressive Caucus have said they will not vote on the bill until the Senate OKs a separate $3.5 trillion social policy bill this fall.
The infrastructure bill is poised to become one of the largest investments into infrastructure in the country in more than a decade. The measure would provide $65 billion to expand high-speed internet access; $110 billion for roads, bridges and other projects; $25 billion for airports and also funding for Amtrak.
“This is what it looks like when elected leaders take a step toward healing our country’s divisions rather than feeding those very divisions,” said Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).
Added Senator Rob Portman (R-OH): “Everyone involved in this effort can be proud of what this body is achieving today – the Senate is doing its job.”
The Senate vote came after months of negotiations between the Biden administration and senators in reaching a compromise so the major infrastructure bill would pass.
“When we have more people on both sides of the aisle who want to do things in a partisan way, as opposed to figuring out how we can work together, I don’t think that’s in the best interest of the country,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). “It was really important for the continued relationships within the Senate that are so important to getting things done.”
Photo courtesy: Harold Mendoza/Unsplash
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.