WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative John P. Sarbanes, the Greek – American who represents Maryland’s Third Congressional District, shared on November 30 the following update titled “Strong Economy, Strong Families” on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act:
“Throughout the year, I have been working to enact two bills that will rebuild our infrastructure, invest in American families and set us on a path toward a future where every community can prosper.
These bills, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act, together are a transformative investment in our economy. I’m pleased that President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the House passed the Build Back Better Act this month.
I’d like to highlight three ways – of the many – that these bills will help Marylanders:
Rebuilding Our Infrastructure
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests $409 million in Maryland’s 273 bridges and $4.1 billion in its 2,200 miles of highway in poor condition.
It allocates $17.1 billion to modernize our ports and marine highways nationwide. It will also supplement Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, improve Maryland public transportation and upgrade our water infrastructure.
Investing in Families
The Build Back Better Act helps to alleviate the biggest expenses for families – child care, education and job training, health care and long-term care needs.
It delivers an historic investment in child care and early education by providing universal preschool for 3- and 4-year olds in Maryland, lowering child care costs and expanding the Child Tax Credit. It makes education beyond high school more affordable by increasing Pell Grants and expands job training programs. It also lowers the cost of health care coverage and makes home and community-based care more accessible for seniors and Marylanders with disabilities.
Tackling Climate Change
Both bills help to create the clean energy economy of the future. They create good-paying green jobs, cut pollution and grow domestic industries.
These investments will help us to build infrastructure to withstand climate change-related extreme weather events. Recent tidal flooding in Annapolis has brought this to the forefront of our minds as many businesses and homes were damaged this fall.
These bipartisan bills will lift up families, create good-paying jobs in Maryland and build a future of opportunity for all Americans. Investing in American families will pay us back in spades”.
