BOYLE APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF HISTORIC INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE

WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight, Congressmen Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) praised House passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes $550 billion in new federal funding for America's crumbling infrastructure. The IIJA passed the House on a 228-to-206 vote.

"From my first day in Congress, I have been unwavering in my goal to pass an infrastructure bill for those in my district," said Congressman Boyle. "Today, that goal became a reality and House Democrats delivered the progress we promised for working families in Pennsylvania, and communities across the nation. The IIJA invests in our country and in our people by creating good-paying union jobs, tackling the climate crisis, and growing the economy sustainably and equitably for decades to come."

• In Pennsylvania, the IIJA will:
• Repair and rebuild PA roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
  • In Pennsylvania there are 3,353 bridges and over 7,540 miles of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 7.6% in Pennsylvania, and on average, each driver pays $620 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
  • The IIJA is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. Based on formula funding alone, Pennsylvania would expect to receive $11.3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs under the IIJA over five years.
• Improve healthy, sustainable transportation options for Pennsylvania.
  • Pennsylvanians who take public transportation spend an extra 68.8% of their time commuting and non-White households are 5 times more likely to commute via public transportation. 25% of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life.
  • Based on formula funding alone, Pennsylvania would expect to receive $2.8 billion over five years under the IIJA to improve public transportation options across the state.
• Build a network of EV chargers across the state to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options.
  • The bill invests $7.5 billion to build out the first-ever national network of EV chargers in the United States and is a critical element in the Biden-Harris Administration's plan to accelerate the adoption of EVs to address the climate crisis and support domestic manufacturing jobs.
  • Under the IIJA, Pennsylvania would expect to receive $171 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
• Help connect every Pennsylvanian to reliable high-speed internet.
  • Under the IIJA, Pennsylvania will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 394,000 Pennsylvanians who currently lack it.
  • Under the IIJA, 23% of people in Pennsylvania will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
• Prepare more of our statewide infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather events.
  • From 2010 to 2020, Pennsylvania has experienced 37 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $10 billion in damages.
  • Under the IIJA, based on historical formula funding levels, Pennsylvania will expect to receive $49 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $26 million to protect against cyberattacks.
  • Pennsylvanians will also benefit from the bill's historic $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization which will reduce energy costs for families.
• Deliver clean drinking water to every Pennsylvanian and eliminate the nation's lead service lines and pipes.
  • Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and childcare centers lack safe drinking water.
  • Under the IIJA, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Pennsylvania will expect to receive $1.4 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
• Improve our Pennsylvania airports.
  • Airports in Pennsylvania would receive approximately $355 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years

This bill previously passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 69-30 on August 10, 2021. It is now headed to President Biden's desk for his signature.