Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) voted to send a bipartisan infrastructure package, one that is projected to create more than 770,000 jobs by 2025 and bring more than $5,000,000,000 in infrastructure investments to Iowa, to President Joe Biden’s desk to become law.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would create thousands of Iowa jobs through five years of investments in high-speed internet connectivity, public transportation, clean drinking water, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure priorities.
More information on how the bill will invest in Iowa can be found here.
“With this bill, we’re securing the investments we need to expand internet access, reduce supply chain disruptions, and keep our communities safe – all without raising taxes on middle class Iowans,” said Rep. Axne. “This bipartisan infrastructure package, which I look forward to seeing signed into law very soon, will support thousands of Iowa jobs and fund vital investments that I’ve fought to see included in our agenda this year — like the largest investment in rural broadband connectivity in history. This bill will also provide an important extension of programs and new investments that will bring more than $5 billion to Iowa for modernization of our roads, bridges, airports, and public transportation systems. And, as we have promised from the first days of this new Administration, these investments are made without raising taxes on middle class families or passing large amounts of debt on to our children’s generation.”
“To be clear: while this bill moves to the President’s desk to become law, I believe that our work is not over,” Rep. Axne added. “I came to Congress to find solutions on a range of issues that are facing our middle class families – and investments in priorities like child care, biofuels, affordable prescription drugs, housing, education, and sustainable agriculture are still on my to-do list. That’s why I will continue to push my colleagues to continue moving forward on the Build Back Better Act and get this complementary bill signed into law.”
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) would provide at least $5.082 billion in various investments for Iowa, which received a “C” infrastructure grade as a state from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
It is projected by Moody’s Analytics to create more than 770,000 jobs by 2025. When combined with the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the two bills together will create more than 2.4 million jobs in the same amount of time.
Investments in Iowa – At A Glance:
Investments from IIJA that are calculated in formula funds would provide Iowa:
- $3.4 billion in highway aid, to address the 403 miles of highway in Iowa that are in poor condition
- The average Iowa driver spends $336 a year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair
- $432 million for bridge replacement and repairs
- Iowa will also be able to fund bridge repairs through grants from a $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program, and $16 billion dedicated for major revitalization projects
- Iowa has 4,571 bridges in poor condition
- $638 million to improve water infrastructure
- $305 million for public transportation in Iowa
- 38% of trains and other transit vehicles in Iowa are beyond their lifespan
- $120 million for airport infrastructure and upgrades
- At least $100 million for expanded broadband internet coverage with additional funding determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mapping unserved areas nationwide.
- Those updated maps are created by the Broadband DATA Act, a law cosponsored by Rep. Axne in 2019
- $15 million to protect against cyberattacks
The IIJA also includes $7 billion for Army Corps of Engineers backlog to address storm resiliency and $3.5 billion for FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance for flood risk.
High-Speed Internet
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes $65 billion to fund the expansion of reliable high-speed internet to areas that currently lack connectivity, including more than 74,000 Iowans.
As a member of the House Rural Broadband Task Force, Rep. Axne has led to charge in Congress to secure robust investments in expanding access to high-speed internet in Iowa’s rural areas.
The IIJA reflects provisions advanced by Axne and the Task Force that require new internet construction provide faster speeds to meet the needs of the future and give more than a quarter of all Iowans up to $30 a month in subsidies to help cover the cost of broadband internet.
Roads, Bridges, and Transportation Systems
The IIJA is the single largest dedicated investment in bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system. It is projected to provide Iowa at least $3.83 billion in federal investments for highway and bridge repair programs, as well as additional funding sources to upgrade economically significant bridges in need of upkeep.
As a state, Iowa ranks worst in the nation for structurally deficient bridges — with more than 4,500 bridges with key elements in either poor or worse condition. Nearly 1 in every 5 bridges in Iowa is classified as structurally deficient.
In addition, nearly a third of Iowa’s major roads are in mediocre or poor condition. On average, each driver in Iowa pays $336 a year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
Iowa would also see a more than $300 million for upgrades of its public transportation sector, including public bus operations in all 99 counties, and $120 million for modernization of Iowa airports.
Clean Drinking Water
Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and child care centers lack safe drinking water.
The IIJA would provide $638 million over five years to improve water infrastructure and guarantee clean drinking water for Iowa’s communities.
The bill also includes a $15 billion investment to replace lead pipes in water systems nationwide.
Community Resiliency
To protect Iowa communities from threats like cyber-attacks and climate change, the IIJA includes funding to improve cybersecurity, resiliency against natural disasters, and to clean up existing polluted areas in Iowa like Superfund sites.
Iowa would receive at least $15 million to protect against cyberattacks.
Support for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Farm Bureau Federation, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Union of Operating Engineers, Laborers’ International Union of North America, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
