Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

11.8.21 Advocacy Alert: House Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

Blog Categories

Josh Veronica

November 8, 2021

This weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill’s passing is a significant milestone after months of contentious negotiations. 

The bill would invest in roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, airports, broadband, and the electric grid. It would also enable our region to pursue numerous priority infrastructure projects and create jobs in the process. Importantly, the bill is funded by repurposing existing revenue sources, not tax increases.  

The BNP communicated our support for this legislation with our regional representatives.  

The bill was supported by Rep. Tom Reed and Rep. Brian Higgins, with Rep. Chris Jacobs voting against it. Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand both supported the bill when it passed the Senate in August. The BNP thanks our representatives who supported this landmark bipartisan legislation. 

The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk. The White House has indicated that the President wants to wait to sign it until Congress passes the Democrats’ partisan reconciliation bill, known as the “Build Back Better Act.” 

The reconciliation bill has a much larger price tag than the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Although it still lacks full analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, the reconciliation bill is expected to include substantial tax increases.  

The BNP has strong concerns with the reconciliation bill. In advocating for the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the BNP made it clear to representatives that it should be advanced independently from the reconciliation bill. The fate of this critical investment should not be linked to a polarizing laundry list of unrelated issues.  

The BNP will keep you informed of progress on this monumental legislation. Ensuring an efficient, equitable distribution of these funds will be a top priority of the BNP’s in the coming months. 

Related Posts

It’s Time to Reopen the U.S.-Canada Border

By kbieniek@thepartnership.org | April 29, 2021

The time has come to reopen the U.S.-Canada land border. The border has been closed for non-essential travel since March 21, 2020 – over a full year. After a year of financial devastation, the economies of Southern Ontario and Western New York need a boost, and reopening the border would provide it.

4/23/21 Webisode: Preparing Your Business for COVID-19 Vaccines #2: How To – Creating a Vaccine Policy & Plan

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | April 23, 2021

COVID-19 continues to create significant health and economic challenges, but hope is on the horizon as vaccinations are being administered.  As we enter this next phase in the COVID-19 recovery and eradication, employers will have a key role to play in the WNY vaccination efforts because employers are often perceived as more trustworthy than the government.

4.22.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Vaccinating Your Workforce – What You Need To Know

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | April 22, 2021

Today, the State Legislature is passing a short-term budget extender, indicating a continued lack of consensus on a budget deal. The extender allows the state government to continue operations while buying time for the Governor and Legislature to reach an agreement on a number of outstanding issues. As we

4.19.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program

By kbieniek@thepartnership.org | April 19, 2021

As a part of this year’s New York State budget, $800 million was allocated to a new COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership wanted to alert you of this opportunity so that your business can take advantage as soon as the application becomes available.