Agricultural News
Ag Groups Praise House Passage of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Friday Night
Sun, 07 Nov 2021 13:41:43 CST
The House passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill on Friday night, 228-206, sending the measure to President Joe Biden's desk after months of limbo.
The legislation, stalled in the House since its August Senate passage amid Democratic infighting, stemmed from bipartisan upper-chamber negotiations on roads, rails and broadband, among other priorities. Only 13 House Republicans voted for the bill, alongside all but 6 Democrats.
Several Ag Groups offered reaction over the weekend to the bill being approved by the House and heading to the White House.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall
"While AFBF was disappointed with the unnecessary delays in the House of Representatives, we appreciate Congress finally passing crucial bipartisan infrastructure legislation. We cannot afford to ignore the millions of miles of roadways, waterways and railways rural America relies on to keep our country fed, especially as we see widespread supply chain challenges.
"Extending broadband to rural communities is just as much a priority. A quarter of America's farm families have no high-speed internet access while working to meet the needs of a growing world. Investments in physical infrastructure like broadband will be critical to bridging the digital divide.
"Bipartisan efforts such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provide commonsense solutions to our nation's infrastructure challenges, and we look forward to seeing the bill signed into law."
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NCFC President Chuck Conner
"I would like to applaud the House of Representative's approval of the infrastructure package today. The bill will provide needed investments across the country to improve the transportation infrastructure that is vital to health and resiliency of the agricultural supply chain. In addition, the package represents a historic step in expanding broadband access in rural America and will help close the digital divide."
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National Association of Wheat Growers CEO, Chandler Goule
"NAWG applauds this historic investment in our traditional infrastructure, which is critical to rural communities and agriculture's long-term success and viability. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act makes a once-in-a-generation investment in roads, railways, locks and dams, and ports that the ag community relies on," said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. "Prioritizing investments in infrastructure will enhance wheat growers' competitiveness in the international market. Additionally, this legislation includes hours-of-service changes and provisions to address truck driver shortages which can, in part, help with some of the supply chain issues being experienced across America."
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CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Ted McKinney
"State departments of agriculture commend the U.S. House of Representatives for coming together to build opportunities for agriculture and rural communities. We can all recognize the importance of a thriving U.S. agriculture industry to all people, and today's actions will connect more individuals to American grown products and provide financial sustainability for farming and ranching businesses."
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National Cattlemens Beef Association Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera
"The infrastructure package includes several key provisions that NCBA has long advocated for, including funding for the modernization of roads and bridges, funding for high-speed rural broadband, congressional commitment to the improvement of the federal permitting process for critical water-related investments and an additional 150 air-mile exemption for livestock haulers on the destination of hauls, providing much needed flexibility under current hours-of-service regulations.
"Investing in critical infrastructure is consistent with NCBA's mission to increase producer profitability. The ability for cattle producers to efficiently raise cattle, haul them safely and compete in a fast-paced global marketplace has a direct link to the economic stability of rural communities and a resilient food supply chain. We look forward to the president signing the bill and stand ready to ensure proper implementation."
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Agricultural Retailers Association CEO Daren Coppock
"We are glad the House was finally able to come together and pass this critical piece of legislation. Investment in infrastructure has long been a priority for ARA, and we will continue to work to ensure the needs of ag retailers, their farmer customers, and all of rural America are met. We are encouraged that the president will sign this immediately.
"ARA is strongly opposed to the House's Build Back Better bill. The tax increases included in this plan would not only counteract any economic recovery but also result in steep cost increases for consumers."
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US Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark
"We thank every member of the House and Senate who cast a vote for America's future. This historic victory wouldn't have been possible without the leadership of Senators Portman, Cassidy, Sinema, and Manchin, and key members of the House Problem Solvers Caucus.
"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help connect 14 million Americans to broadband, provide clean drinking water for 10 million families, upgrade our energy grid, and create millions of jobs. It is the single largest investment in bridges since construction of the Interstate Highway System and the single largest investment made to address climate change in U.S. history.
"For more than 25 years, the Chamber has led the charge for investment in America's crumbling infrastructure. We will continue to work with our partners in business, labor, and government to identify projects with the most critical need, help find the necessary workers to get started, and bring much-needed investment to communities across America.??
"The bipartisan infrastructure negotiations showed us how Congress can work together to solve today's most pressing challenges.
"Members of the House also made the right decision in delaying consideration of the partisan reconciliation bill. It would be the height of irresponsibility for Members of Congress to vote on a multi-trillion tax-and-spend bill without even knowing its true cost or even pausing to consider the policy ramifications. The Chamber applauds those Members who helped inject some common sense into this process."
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