Infrastructure Bill passes House with Farm State help

WASHINGTON, DC – The House passed the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on Friday by a final vote of 228-206 and had to rely on votes from 12 Republican members to get the bill across the finish line.

Key votes from farm-state members, including Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), offset the votes against the bill by a handful of progressive Democrats (six), including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO).

Every major commodity group and general farm organization supports the passage of the package, with the American Soybean Association (ASA) adding that the bill makes “historic investments in U.S. infrastructure and will greatly impact the competitiveness of soy and other agricultural products for years to come.”

The package increases much-needed funding for roads and bridges, including targeted funding for rural areas; accounts for freight rail and inland waterways funding; has provisions to address truck driver shortages, including hours-of-service changes; supports a new pilot program to highlight the benefits of biobased construction materials, like soy-based concrete sealant; and, addresses critical rural broadband issues.

The legislation passed the Senate back in August by a vote of 69-30, also carried votes by Republicans, including the Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and will begin addressing infrastructure issues at the nation’s ports, roads, rails, and waterways.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)