Today, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, a $550 billion investment negotiated between the White House and a bipartisan group of Senators. In response, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

“Our nation’s infrastructure, public transportation, and basic rights—like access to clean water—have not been prioritized for decades and we are seeing the consequences of this in real time. Today’s vote is a clear signal that the gears of government are finally turning to address these needs—but they must turn faster and Congress must be bolder.

“This bill still leaves major gaps that Congress needs to move urgently to fill. To truly build back better, we need major investments to revitalize and retool our manufacturing sector, replace every lead pipe in the nation, grow clean energy and energy efficiency, retrofit our schools, invest in the care economy, support our workers and communities impacted by America’s shift to cleaner, cheaper energy, and more.

“This bill could be the start of something great—but it is only the start. It’s time for the Senate to turn to the $3.5 trillion budget resolution to begin the reconciliation process and truly invest in workers and communities and build a clean, thriving, and equitable economy for all.”