Time.news – The US Senate has approved the maxi infrastructure investment plan of 1,200 billion dollars strongly desired by President Joe Biden and the result of a bipartisan agreement. A great victory for the Democratic president and a defeat for his predecessor, Donald Trump, who was opposed to the last.
For approval, the plan, which the White House called “historic” and was supported by several Republicans, needed only a simple majority. The measure, for final approval now passes to the House of Representatives, where its future is more uncertain after tensions have emerged within the Democratic Party, which has a small majority.
“Great news, folks: the bipartisan infrastructure deal has officially passed in the Senate,” President Biden cheered on Twitter. “I hope Congress gets him to my desk as soon as possible so we can continue our reconstruction work.”
At the end of January, the budget of the unprecedented infrastructure plan, sponsored by President Joe Biden, exceeded two trillion dollars. Now it will be more than half, 1,200 billion, but it has reached the end of its legislative path, thanks to the fruitful negotiations between a bipartisan group of 10 senators and the White House. The law authorizes spending on existing federal public works programs and promotes an additional $ 550 billion in new public spending.
The measure will then have to face a potentially difficult path in the House, where Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she will not accept it until the Senate also passes a new 3.5 trillion package that Democrat leader Chuck Schumer spoke about yesterday. , and which should address the fight against poverty, climate change, health care and education spending. This is a challenging negotiation that could take months. However, the infrastructure plan passed today in the Senate varies from the construction of 500,000 electric charging stations for cars to the reconstruction of highways, bridges, railways, from the reduction of carbon emissions by 2035 to extended access to water and energy clean, there are many sectors on which the plan aims to affect in the next ten years.
Let’s see which ones and how.
– WATER, 55 BILLION INVESTMENTS
In the United States currently, according to the White House, ten million families and 400,000 schools do not have safe drinking water. The plan includes an investment of 55 billion dollars to equip the less served areas with pipelines and purifiers.
– INTERNET, 30 BILLION ALLOCATED
More than 30 million Americans live in areas not served by broadband, particularly in the interior of the United States. The plan has allocated 65 billion to create infrastructures for high-speed internet, and to reduce costs for the most vulnerable. Through the Digital Equity Act, a permanent program will be created that will help low-income families to have access to the internet.
– ENVIRONMENT, 73 BILLION TO PRODUCE PUNITED ENERGY
Hundreds of areas in the country were found to be highly polluted, due to the presence of old factories and areas intended for energy production. 26 percent of African Americans and 29 percent of Hispanics live within three miles of these areas. They represent the highest percentage among Americans. 21 billion dollars will be allocated to purify the areas and reclaim them. After the case of the blackout that brought Texas to its knees during the winter, the federal administration has decided to finance a 73 billion dollar project for the production of clean energy. The White House considers this the largest investment in American history.
– CYBER SECURITY, LOANS OF 50 BILLION
The plan includes 50 billion dollars to finance projects ranging from cyber security, which recently hit American energy plants, and interventions to reduce the incidence of floods and environmental devastation.
– AIRPORTS AND PORTS, A 25 BILLION FLOOR
While Americans brag about building modern aviation, airports are lagging behind in the rankings. None of the Americans are among the top 25 airports in the world. The plan calls for 25 billion dollars to modernize airports, 17 billion for ports.
– ROADS AND BRIDGES, APPROVED 110 BILLION
One kilometer in five, out of a total of 280,000 kilometers of motorways and state roads, are in poor condition, as are 45,000 bridges. The federal administration has decided to allocate 110 billion for the construction and renovation of roads, bridges and other projects, to be implemented over the next five years. Of this money, 40 will go to the renovation and 16 to the realization of maxi projects.
– SAFETY ON THE ROAD, PLANS FOR 11 BILLION
The United States is among the countries with the highest number of deaths from accidents. $ 11 billion will be allocated in safety programs, including a new protocol, “Safe Streets for All,” to guide states and local governments to reduce accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians and cyclists.
– PUBLIC TRANSPORT: IT IS A SECTOR THAT MUST BE RENEWED
Public transport is one of the sectors, according to the White House, that most needs renovation. The problem concerns 24,000 buses, 5,000 railway wagons, 200 stations, thousands of kilometers of railways. 39 billion will be allocated to modernize the connection system and improve access for elderly and disabled people. The train: Fifty years after the birth of Amtrak, the largest rail transport company, the company will undergo a profound restyling funded with 66 billion dollars to modernize the Northeast corridor and raise quality in the Mideast area. Twelve billion dollars will go to finance partnerships with intercity services and high speed.
– ELECTRIC CARS: 50% ZERO EMISSION BY 2030
As announced earlier this week, President Biden aims to have half cars in circulation with zero emissions by 2030. The goal is to overtake China, which is currently leading the world electric car market. An initial $ 7.5 billion fund will be allocated to accelerate the transition to green vehicle production by American car companies. The plan also provides for the construction of electric buses, with diversified allocations: 2.5 billion for zero-emission ones, 2.5 billion for low-emission ones, and 2.6 billion for ferries.
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