Bipartisan mayors praise passage of infrastructure bill

A group of mayors from both parties praised the House’s passage of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, calling it a “momentous day” for America.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors issued a statement hailing passage of the bill, calling it the “largest long-term investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century.”

“This is a momentous day,” Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley (D), president of the national group, said in a statement. 

“Mayors across the country thank members of the House who helped pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will revitalize our nation’s infrastructure, create thousands of good-paying jobs and enable our country to compete and lead in the 21st century,” Whaley continued.

The House passed the bipartisan bill late Friday evening by a vote of 228-206, with 13 Republicans supporting the measure and six Democrats voting against it. The measure now heads to President Biden’s desk, and he said Saturday he plans to sign it “soon.”

Also on Friday, the lower chamber adopted a rule establishing floor debate parameters for the larger $1.75 trillion social spending package at the center of Biden’s domestic agenda. House Democrats advanced the measure in a party-line vote of 221-213.

The bipartisan bill, which the Senate passed in August, includes funding for “traditional” infrastructure projects, such as $110 billion in funding for roads and bridges and $65 billion in broadband.  

It also includes $55 billion for clean drinking water and nearly $90 billion for public transit projects.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R), who is a trustee for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said on Twitter that over the next few years the legislation will “finally provide cities the major national infrastructure investment we have needed for so long.”

Tonight it passed the House as well, and now goes to the President’s desk. Over the next few years, this legislation will finally provide cities the major national infrastructure investment we have needed for so long. (3/5)

— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) November 6, 2021

“Also, the bipartisan nature of this legislation’s development and passage demonstrates that our nation can still work together to do important things,” Holt said. “I was proud to co-chair our national [United Conference of Mayors] effort to pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill with Mayor [Whaley]. Congrats to all involved and thank you to all who made it possible! Onward!”

I was proud to co-chair our national @usmayors effort to pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill with Mayor @nanwhaley. Congrats to all involved and thank you to all who made it possible! Onward! (5/5)

— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) November 6, 2021