Hispanic Democrats campaigning on infrastructure deal

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm is joining a Democratic Party blitz to sell President Biden’s infrastructure deal to voters.

Bold PAC, the CHC’s political wing, released a statement Friday detailing the bill’s benefits for Latino communities ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

“Latinos have experienced unique disadvantages during the pandemic. But now, thanks to President Biden’s infrastructure deal, Latinos all over the country will gain access to economic opportunities and improved health through better transportation, cleaner water and millions of jobs to help them provide for their families,” said Bold PAC Chairman Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).

According to the group, the infrastructure deal will create thousands of union jobs in the transportation and construction industries. Hispanic workers make up 36 percent of all construction workers and 24 percent of transportation workers.

The infrastructure package is also expected to boost public transportation, including in Puerto Rico. Hispanic Americans are on average more reliant on public transportation to reach work and basic services than the average American.

And Bold PAC also touted the infrastructure deal’s expansion of internet access and pollution cleanup provisions, addressing two issues that disproportionately affect Hispanic communities.

“This is an investment in our communities. While the vast majority of Republicans voted to block this badly needed funding, President Biden and Congressional Democrats have delivered for hard working families and have ensured that the American dream will remain accessible to generations of Latinos,” said Gallego.

Biden is expected to sign the bill on Monday, and Democrats are readying a nationwide blitz to sell the bill’s benefits to voters.

Hispanic voters are expected to play a crucial role in several key races in 2022, including Senate races in Arizona, Nevada and Georgia.

The infrastructure deal addresses many of the key issues that regularly poll highly among Hispanic Americans, particularly the economy and the environment.

It also tangentially affects issues like health care and education through provisions like increasing access to broadband and public transportation.

But it’s unclear how quickly the bill’s effects will be felt by voters, and Democrats are keen to put a spotlight on a political win amid Biden’s sagging poll numbers.