Legislative Updates
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Advances $60 Billion Portion of the Build Back Better Act
On Tuesday September 14, 2021 the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed by a vote of 37-29 its portion of the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill that is now being referred to as the Build Back Better Act.
This piece of legislation proposes investing an additional $60 billion for infrastructure projects that address climate change, sustainability, and equity. See below for some sections that may be of interest to LA County.
| Section | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 11001, Affordable Housing Access Program | $10 billion | This section provides $10 billion to support access to affordable housing and enhance mobility for low-income individuals and residents of disadvantaged or persistent poverty communities |
| 110002, Community Climate Incentive Grants | $4 billion | This section provides $4 billion to reduce surface transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. |
| 110003, Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants | $4 billion | This section provides $4 billion to support neighborhood equity, safety, and affordable transportation access. |
| 110008, Local Transportation Priorities | $6 billion | This section provides $6 billion to advance local surface transportation projects.
Note: The now obsolete INVEST Act contained member-designated projects (earmarks) that were not included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It seems this is an attempt to restore funding for those projects, however it is unclear whether the parliamentarian will allow this section to be part of the final reconciliation bill. |
| Sec. 110018, Economic Development Administration | $5.5 billion | This section provides $4 billion to invest in the creation of regional innovation hubs; $1 billion for EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance program to fund predevelopment activities and provide assistance to energy and industrial transition communities; and $500 million for public works projects. |
| 110029, Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants | $2 billion | This section provides $2 billion to invest in sewer overflow and stormwater reuse projects, as well as provides for a greater federal cost share of projects that serve financially distressed communities. |
What’s Next?
In the next two weeks Congress must:
- Lift the debt ceiling
- Pass a continuing resolution that continues to fund the government through the end of the year
- Pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
- Pass the Build Back Better Act
Getting all of this done will be a heavy lift. Infrastructure LA will continue to monitor and update you on any developments.
