Dear Neighbor:
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is an historic investment in the American people—and President Biden just signed it into law.
I’ve worked for months with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to pass this critical legislation, commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, to chart our course for a sustainable, modernized, American-made future—For the People and for our nation’s competitive success in the 21st century.
Representatives Grace Meng, Stacey Plaskett and I are all smiles on the White House lawn for the official bill-signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal!
I was proud to vote to pass this critical legislation through the House of Representatives on November 5, and I am elated to share what this bill means for Maryland.
We have made an essential investment in our nation’s infrastructure with the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Here’s a look at what this landmark legislation means for Maryland. The bill will:
- Provide an estimated $4.6 billion to repair and rebuild Maryland’s aging roads and bridges, with a focus on improving climate resiliency and safety for drivers and pedestrians.
- Improve healthy and sustainable public transportation options for Marylanders with approximately $1.7 billion in funding to improve public transit options across our state.
- Build a reliable and convenient network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state. Maryland is expected to receive $63 million to expand EV charging stations, making long-distance travel easier and more convenient for electric vehicles.
- Increase access to affordable internet across the state. Maryland will receive at least $100 million to help expand broadband coverage and provide access to the 148,000 Marylanders who currently lack it. Seventeen-percent of Marylanders are expected to qualify for assistance through the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
- Provide clean drinking water for all Marylanders with an estimated $844 million investment over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state.
- Restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. This legislation provides $238 million for Chesapeake restoration efforts and will help us meet pollution reduction targets.
- Secure federal funding for WMATA. The bill reauthorizes $150 million annually through 2030 for WMATA maintenance and improvements, and includes important provisions to strengthen oversight of WMATA and increase safety of our national capital transit system.
- Improve infrastructure at Maryland’s airports. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides roughly $158 million for airport infrastructure in Maryland.
- Modernize, improve and expand passenger rail service, investing $22 billion in Amtrak and providing $24 billion to modernize and improve the Northeast Corridor, which includes Maryland’s Amtrak and MARC service.
And we’re just getting started. My House colleagues and I also just passed the Build Back Better Act, and we are working diligently to have it sent to President Biden's desk. This companion bill to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make childcare more affordable, take aggressive action against the climate crisis, cut taxes for working families and so much more. I’m working overtime to ensure that we pass the President’s complete Build Back Better agenda for the families of MD-08 and our nation’s future.
As always, I encourage all 8th District residents to connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you need help with a federal agency and want to request my assistance, please complete the online request form here, and my District Office will be in touch.
All best,
Jamie Raskin
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