The Infrastructure Deal

 

        After being introduced in the House of Representatives in June of 2021 and following five months of debates and amendments, H.R.3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was finally been signed into law by President Biden in November. Now, federal agencies, including the Departments of Transportation and Energy, have to decide how to implement this historic investment nationwide. The bipartisan Infrastructure Act has even been compared to President Roosevelt's revolutionary New Deal. 

What does the bill do?

    This "once-in-a-generation investment" in infrastructure has an extensive list of plans. Read about  several of them below.

• High-Speed Internet Access
• Sets aside $65 billion to ensure every American has access to high-speed internet
• "lower prices for Internet services and help close the digital divide"

• Repair & Rebuild Roads & Bridges
• Reauthorize surface transportation programs for fuve years
• Invest $110 billion in more funding to repair
• Invest in repairing bridges
• Introduce the 1st Safe Streets and Roads for All program

• Public Transit Investment
• $39 billion to modernize transit & continue existing transit programs 
• $89.9 billion in total guaranteed funding for public transit for 5 years
• Improve accessibility for elderly and people with disabilities

• Upgrade Power Infrastructure
• $65 billion investment in clean energy transmission
• Build thousands of miles of new transmission lines
• Fund new programs to achieve a zero-emissions economy

• Grow The Economy
• Add an average of 1.5 million jobs per year

• Cyber Security
• $135 million to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
• Risk management operations, cyber response & efforts

How does it impact Oklahoma?

    The U.S. Department of Transportation released statements containing information about each state and how much they will be receiving from the Infrastructure Law. Oklahoma, "who has suffered from a lack of investment," will be receiving assistance to improve the state's infrastructure. Oklahoma is expecting around $4.6 billion over five years for highways and bridges. The state estimates to get about $66 million to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging networks. Airports in Oklahoma would receive $137 million for infrastructure development for five years. Along with these set amounts, the state would qualify to compete for more funding for various other programs.

The Build Back Better Act

    While this historic bill has been signed into law, there's another factor that's important to mention.  Originally, the American Jobs Plan was proposed to give funding for infrastructure and funding for social services. After negotiations though, the Infrastructure Bill and the Build Back Better Act were created as spin offs of the AJP. Now with the Infrastructure Bill being passed, it's tricky to say where the Build Back Better Act stands. The act focuses on creating jobs, investing in children and families, clean energy, and strengthening the middle class. Because they two acts were meant to be one, there are many factors within each one that rely on each other. For example, when discussing the jobs created from the Infrastructure Bill, the estimated 1.5 million jobs per year is in combination with the Build Back Better Act. This Act is the other factor of the Infrastructure Bill, so it's important to keep track of it's process.

Extra Resources

How Laws Are Implemented

Read Ben's Guide on the steps after a law is signed.

Congress.gov

The OSU Library does not have copies of  bills but they can be found online at Congress.gov, the official U.S. website for federal legislative information, or ProQuest Congressional in the Library's Database list.

H.R. 5376 - Build Back Better Act

Track the Build Back Better Act's progress here. 

H.R. 3684 - Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act

To track how the Infrastructure Bill came into law since it's introduction in the House, check it out here.

The Original American Jobs Plan

Read the Fact Sheet about the original American Jobs Plan.

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