This week, the INVEST in America Act passed the Senate on a 69-30 vote. This bipartisan legislation is a long overdue investment in the nation’s infrastructure. NECA, along with the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC), sent a letter to Senate leadership on the passage of the bill. Listed below are some of the funding highlights: 

• $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV chargers 
• $50 billion in resilience and western water infrastructure  
• $55 billion in clean drinking water infrastructure 
• $65 billion on broadband infrastructure 
• $65 billion in clean energy infrastructure 
• $110 billion in surface transportation infrastructure 
• $39 billion in public transportation infrastructure projects 
• $66 billion in passenger and freight rail infrastructure 

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA’s CEO, David Long, commended the passage of this important legislation stating, “On behalf of our 4,000 contractors across America, NECA has supported the push for bipartisan legislation that provides the investment and resources to help rebuild and modernize our nation’s infrastructure. I want to thank the U.S. Senate for taking these steps and passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which brings these important and sweeping changes even closer to reality. This legislation will create new job opportunities for our contractors and their employees and ensure our nation’s economic competitiveness.” We will continue to monitor this legislation as it moves to the House for final passage. 

Last week, Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) introduced the Promoting Opportunities in Skilled Trades (POST) Act. This bill would help to increase awareness of skilled trades programs by using funds from the Perkins Grant Program. NECA wrote a letter and made a statement in support of this important legislation. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA is very supportive of any efforts to promote post-secondary education opportunities. We will be monitoring this legislation as it moves through the House.