Following months of grueling negotiations in Congress, President Joe Biden signed his $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law on Monday afternoon.
“My fellow Americans, today I want you to know we hear you, and we see you. The bill I’m about to sign into law is proof that, despite the cynics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and deliver results. We can deliver real results for real people we see in ways that really matter each and every day to each person out there. And we’re taking a monumental step forward to ‘Build Back Better’ as a nation,” Biden said.
“For too long, we’ve talked about having the best economy in the world. We’ve talked about asserting American leadership around the world with the best and the safest roads, railways, ports and airports. Here in Washington, we’ve heard countless speeches, promises, and white papers from the experts,” said Biden. “But today, we are finally getting it done. And my message to the American people is: America is moving again. And your life is going to change for the better.”
Biden was flanked by a beaming Vice President Kamala Harris. “We got it done, America,” she said.
Over the weekend, Biden nominated Mitch Landrieu, a former Louisiana Democratic lieutenant governor and mayor of New Orleans, to lead the implementation of the landmark legislation.
“In this role, Landrieu will oversee the most significant and comprehensive investments in American infrastructure in generations—work that independent experts verify will create millions of high-paying, union jobs while boosting our economic competitiveness in the world, strengthening our supply chains, and acting against inflation for the long term,” the White House said in a Sunday afternoon press release,
“I am thankful to the President and honored to be tasked with coordinating the largest infrastructure investment in generations,” Landrieu said in a personal statement. “Our work will require strong partnerships across the government and with state and local leaders, business and labor to create good-paying jobs and rebuild America for the middle class. We will also ensure these major investments achieve the President’s goals of combating climate change and advancing equity.”
