House Passes Transformative, Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a bipartisan infrastructure package focused on creating millions of American jobs, rebuilding our nation's roads and bridges, and combatting the climate crisis. Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) voted for the legislation which makes the largest long-term investment in our nation's infrastructure in a century and directs significant funding toward the State of California that will improve clean drinking water access, create good-paying renewable energy jobs, and repair of local highways in the 36^th District. The bill now awaits President Biden's signature to become law.

"Today, we made a historic investment in our infrastructure, environment, and local economy," said Dr. Ruiz. "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act delivers the transformative resources we need to create jobs and build safer, more resilient roads, bridges, water systems, and railways. This bipartisan legislation is now on its way to President Biden's desk, and once signed into law, it will help our economy thrive while bringing our infrastructure into the 21^st century."

"Coachella Valley Water District applauds Congress on coming together to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," said CVWD Board Vice President Cástulo R. Estrada. "This historic legislation provides key funding for many sectors. Of particular interest to CVWD is the significant funding for clean water infrastructure. The clean water infrastructure funding will be integral for infrastructure growth and development in the East Valley. CVWD is committed to help ensure a reliable water supply to existing disadvantaged communities in the East Valley. We thank Congressman Ruiz for his leadership and support of infrastructure funding and development."

"The Coachella Valley has a $3 billion list of bridges, roads, interchanges and active transportation projects to complete in order to meet the transportation needs today and into the future. It will require significant federal investments to get these projects completed – and the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act shows that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree," said Palm Springs Mayor Christy Holstege, who is Chair of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments. "We look forward to working with Rep. Ruiz and our partners to ensure the Coachella Valley remains competitive for grants and gets its fair share of the funding. These investments aren't just about making it safer and easier to get from point A to point B, but also about increasing the opportunities for growth and future economic development across the region."

BACKGROUND

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act helps achieve the goals of President Biden's American Jobs Plan by investing in American workers and helping communities of all sizes improve their critical infrastructure. The legislation includes:

• $25.3 billion for rebuilding California's highways and $4.2 billion for replacing the State's bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety.
• $3.5 billion for California over five years to improve water infrastructure and eliminate the use of lead service lines and pipes.
• $1.8 billion for California's Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund to ensure everyone has access to clean drinking and wastewater services.
• $36 billion for intercity passenger rail projects like the CV-Rail Project, which would connect Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley via a passenger rail line.
• $2.5 billion for grant funding dedicated to EV charging to accelerate the adoption of EVs to address the climate crisis and support domestic manufacturing jobs.
• $384 million over the next 5 years to support the expansion of an EV charging network throughout the State of California.
• $84 million over five years for California to protect its residents from wildfires and other extreme weather events.
• $80 million total for solar power research and development projects to create good-paying clean energy jobs across the country.

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