Hochul pleased with $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill; Jacobs votes against it
The House of Representatives on Friday voted 228-206 to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, with Congressman Chris Jacobs among those who opposed President Biden’s “Build Back Better Act.”
“From the start of this process, Speaker Pelosi has made it clear that passage of an infrastructure bill was inseparably linked to the $1.75+ trillion reconciliation package which will balloon our national debt to the highest in history,” Jacobs said. “This was not a vote about the need for infrastructure investment in Western New York – it was a vote to enable Democrats to pass their socialist spending bill.
“Our nation needs to have an honest and unconditional conversation about infrastructure,” Jacobs said. “Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi has proved that her majority is incapable of that. She has held infrastructure hostage and politicized an issue where I believe there is broad bipartisan agreement. Because of these circumstances, I cannot support any bill that furthers the Democrats’ reckless agenda to burden small businesses and families with higher taxes and stick our grandchildren with the tab.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement in support of the House vote: “Congress has made good on its promise to deliver infrastructure funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, meaning New York will be able to make critical investments in our roads, bridges, and transit. This funding also helps make our infrastructure more resilient to climate change and will expand access to clean water, supporting New York’s economic growth and improving public health.”
“I want to thank President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and Congressional leadership for their continued progress on the Build Back Better agenda. With historic levels of funding for the care economy, housing and education, our workforce, and climate, we must also pass this legislation to help New York come back stronger.”
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, said the bill will help revitalize America’s aging infrastructure and deliver at least $27 billion in direct funding for New York infrastructure projects.
“Congress has delivered one of the boldest infrastructure packages in our nation’s history and I look forward to President Biden signing it into law,” Gillibrand said. “This package will create jobs, boost our economy, deliver funding to rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure and help rebuild underserved communities. Now, we must continue to focus on passing a Build Back Better package that invests in people with policies like paid leave, affordable child care, universal pre-K, and more. I will continue to be relentless about getting this over the finish line.”
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, tweeted this reaction: “This infrastructure and jobs bill gives people, businesses, and our economy the tools to succeed in the 21st century, and improve both productivity and job creation in America for decades to come. Congress will keep working to pass President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”
