RELEASE: Gottheimer and New Jersey LiUNA Urge Congress to Vote on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation Immediately

Above: Gottheimer meets with members of LiUNA.

NORTH JERSEY — Today, Friday, August 20, 2021, U.S.  Congressman Josh Gottheiemer (NJ-5) joined with members of Labor International Union of North American (LiUNA) to push for an immediate passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. LiUNA supports 25,000 members in New Jersey, and 600,000 members nationwide, many of whom work in industries where thousands of jobs will be created by the infrastructure bill.  The infrastructure package will help create two million jobs a year for the next decade.

“Our infrastructure here in New Jersey is in desperate need of repair — we need this bipartisan infrastructure bill and we need it now,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “The American Society of Civil Engineers gave our state’s infrastructure a D+ rating. Our roads are the third worst in the country. I spoke with hard working men and women of labor today about the negative impact our failing infrastructure is having on their lives, and how they are the key to fixing it. But this bill won’t only fix our potholes and help cut commute times, finally build the Gateway Tunnel, invest in climate resiliency and electric vehicle infrastructure, it will also create millions of good paying union jobs in the process. With millions of jobs on the line and our infrastructure crumbling, we just can’t afford to wait months to start creating these jobs and improving our communities.”

In a statement earlier today, Gottheimer also said, “We have the votes to pass this legislation right now, which is why I believe we should first vote immediately on the bipartisan infrastructure package, send it to the President’s desk, and then quickly consider the budget resolution, which I plan to support. We need to get people to work and shovels in the ground.”

“Our members appreciated speaking with Congressman Gottheimer this morning.  Josh knows what LIUNA knows: that our nation’s infrastructure is in terrible disrepair and that Congress has the chance to pass– with bipartisan support—an historically-important infrastructure bill which finally funds improvements and repairs to our roads, bridges, rails, and water systems—things we all rely on every day.” said Raymond M. Pocino Vice President – Laborers International Union of North America, Eastern Regional Manager “Both Congressman Gottheimer and LIUNA also know that it is reckless to use this legislation as leverage in a game of political chicken. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act already has the support of enough people in Congress as well as the support of the American people.  We need the House of Representatives to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now and we are grateful to Congressman Gottheimer for helping to lead the charge.”

The current version of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the House should take a standalone vote on as soon as possible, New Jersey will receive major investments in our infrastructure, including:

• To repair and rebuild our bridges, roads and highways, which will cut commute times and improve the day to day lives of everyone in our communities, New Jersey can expect to receive $6.8 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.1 billion for bridge replacement and repairs under the  Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years.
  • New Jersey can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities. 
• To improve and expand our public transportation systems, New Jersey can expect to receive $4.1 billion over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.
• The bill will also allow New Jersey to build a network of Electric Vehicle chargers to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options by investing over $104 million over five years to support the expansion of Electric Vehicle infrastructure here in New Jersey. 
• To help connect every New Jersey family to high speed internet so they can access school, work, healthcare and so much more, our state can expect to receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 115,468 people in New  Jersey who currently lack it.
  • And, 1,566,000 or 18% of people in New Jersey will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.  

Above: Gottheimer stands with members of LiUNA

Above: Gottheimer discusses the bipartisan infrastructure bill with a member of LiUNA local 78

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