On Friday, November 5, 2021, the House passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (H.R. 3684 – The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) by a vote of 228-206, with 13 Republicans backing it despite GOP leadership exerting pressure on party members to vote against the bill. All but six Democrats voted for the measure following an intense evening of negotiations between House progressive and moderate Democrats, capped by a late-night intervention from President Biden to ultimately come to an agreement. President Biden is due to sign the bill into law once Congress returns from recess. 
 
Despite the success on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), was unable to secure a vote on the $1.75 trillion reconciliation bill that makes up much of the rest of President Biden’s domestic agenda. The House instead voted to approve a procedural measure, teeing-up a vote after the House returns the week of November 15th and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) releases its long-awaited cost analysis of the proposal. This concession was in response to a small group of moderates who refused to vote for the reconciliation package without the CBO score. Progressives also made a concession by supporting the infrastructure legislation before a vote on the larger spending package. 
 
The bipartisan infrastructure bill reauthorizes surface transportation and water programs for five years, adding $550 billion in new spending. It also includes $110 billion for roads, bridges and major projects; $39 billion for transit and $66 billion for rail; $65 billion for broadband; $65 billion for the electric grid; $55 billion to upgrade water infrastructure; and, $25 billion for airports.
 
Of particular significance to RCRC member-counties:

  • $40 billion of the broadband funding is designated to go to “Grants to States for Development” based on a “formula-based grant program.” 
  • Broadband projects would have a 100/20 megabits per second download/upload build standard.
  • The bill includes $2 billion for “Support for Rural Areas” administrated by the United States Department of Agriculture, as well as $600 million for states to issue Private Activity Bonds to finance broadband deployment specifically for projects in rural areas.
  • The bill extends the Secure Rural Schools program for three years. 

 
Click here to view a California-specific fact sheet released by the White House on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.