President Joe Biden plans to hold a ceremony Monday to sign into law his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, which the White House lauded as a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison has said the deal would prove a bonanza for Black America by providing jobs, clean energy and other benefits.
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said her city’s residents also would reap great benefits.
The venerable Democratic congresswoman and senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the chair of its Subcommittee on Highways and Transit highlighted how the historic legislation would benefit the District.
Under the bill, D.C. would receive $1.1 billion for roads and bridges, $1.2 billion to improve public transportation, and the opportunity to apply for $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to electric vehicle charging.
Further, 164,000 D.C. residents could apply for affordable internet access, $10 million to protect against cyberattacks, and $355 million to improve water infrastructure and ensure access to clean, safe drinking water.
The congresswoman emphasized the unprecedented nature of the bill, a breakthrough from simply adding funds to embracing new approaches to transportation and infrastructure.
“I met with President Biden and Secretary Pete Buttigieg when they were writing the historic infrastructure bill, which is now on the president’s desk, and I am pleased they listened and included my priorities for D.C.,” Norton said. “Funding included in the historic bill will help D.C. improve our roads and bridges, increase the number of climate-friendly electric vehicle charging stations, vastly improve access to efficient public transportation, and provide $355 million over five years to repair and upgrade D.C.’s water infrastructure.”