WASHINGTON, DC—Today, National Black Caucus of State Legislators President Billy Mitchell, along with past NBCSL President Calvin Smyre will attend a ceremony as President Joe Biden signs into law the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The legislation is the largest investment in the country’s infrastructure in decades. The act will give a much-needed modernization to the country’s infrastructure through extensive upgrades for roads and bridges—providing funding to replace lead pipes that provide drinking water and work to fix pollution in underserved communities. The bill also includes vehicle safety measures and works to stop DUIs before they happen. Furthermore, IIJA works to close our digital divide by investing in our nation’s broadband and utility grid.
NBCSL is proud to support this legislation. We are committed to ensuring equitable transportation for all communities and toward transportation equity for communities of color. Our state legislators have adopted A Resolution on Equity in New Transportation Alternatives addressing underlying systematic and persistent racial discrimination and economic inequality in transportation. Our resolutions on Bridging the Digital Divide during COVID and On Expanding Broadband Access in Communities of Color shows our tireless work to ensure communities of color have access to affordable, reliable internet and our support on expanding broadband access in communities of color and other underserved areas.
“I am delighted to be able to attend today’s historic signing ceremony. This necessary infrastructure package will provide much needed assistance to our black and brown communities. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed so many disparities that communities of color experienced on a daily basis prior to the pandemic. I am happy that our nation’s leaders are addressing the issues that are affecting our communities. NBCSL will continue to work and lead conversations on other pressing matters that our constituents are still dealing with,” said Rep. Billy Mitchell (GA-88), President of NBCSL.
The signing ceremony is scheduled for today at 3 p.m. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, governors, mayors, and business leaders are set to attend on the South Lawn of the White House.
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