What’s Happening
The House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), officially named the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, in a 228-206 vote, with 13 Republicans onboard. Six Democrats, all progressives, voted no. The vote came after moderate Democrats promised progressives a vote on the reconciliation social spending bill before November 15.
Why It Matters
After months of negotiations and will-they-or-won’t-they moments, the House approved the bipartisan infrastructure package, which includes actionable climate provisions to invest in electric vehicles, carbon capture infrastructure, regulatory streamlining, breakthrough hydrogen technology, and natural climate solutions like planting trees. The bill also includes a record $47 billion investment in climate resilience. It now heads to President Biden’s desk, and we will begin to see much-needed investments in our nation’s infrastructure.
My Take
Americans want to improve our roads and bridges. We want energy and grid security. We want our homes to be safe from natural disasters and extreme weather. The bipartisan infrastructure bill takes real steps toward these goals while simultaneously moving the ball forward on climate.
The moderate Democrats and Republicans who got BIF across the finish line should be celebrated. It’s a shame that Progressives insisted on pairing their radical reconciliation bill with BIF, alienating Republicans and deeply dividing their own party. Tax breaks for only union-made electric vehicles, which excludes Tesla, is not serious climate action. Branding a bill as the most significant climate action ever, yet lumping in every policy priority under the sun is not taking climate action seriously.
The passage of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act is a win. The seemingly inevitable passage of the Build Back Better Act is not.
Quote Me on It
“The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act is a hard-fought, bipartisan win for the American people and the climate. At ACC, we know that bipartisan climate solutions are sustainable climate solutions. We will continue to push for policies, like this one, that will ensure a strong economy and healthier planet for generations to come.” – VP of Government Affairs Quill Robinson