Axne praises bipartisan infrastructure package

by | Nov 11, 2021 | 5 Ag Stories, News

Iowa Third District Congresswoman Cindy Axne is praising the bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed through the House last week.

By a 228-206 vote on the evening of November 5th, the U.S. House passed a Senate-approved $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which includes $550 billion in new money. A larger spending and tax bill was delayed. Axne told IARN affiliate KMA News that she was proud of lawmakers? efforts to get this legislation to the president?s desk.

?I really believe the fact this is a bipartisan bill contributes to the agenda and moving it forward,? said Axne. ?We have wanted to see investments in our infrastructure for years. Infrastructure Week has been thrown around by president after president because we need to invest in our country. I think people on both sides of the aisle said we know it?s time and let?s get this done. It?s why both Senator (Chuck) Grassley and myself voted for it because we knew how important this was to states like Iowa.?

Axne says she was Iowa?s lone U.S. Representative to vote in favor of the bipartisan bill.

?I?m sad to see that on both sides ? some Democrats didn?t vote for it and that is sad ? but I will tell you I was the only House member from Iowa to vote for this bill which literally brings broadband out to every corner of our state and helps us with our airport infrastructures and updates,? said Axne.

Farm groups praising the bill include the National Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, as well as USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, among others.

The White House announced Wednesday that President Biden will sign the infrastructure bill into law on Monday. It will mark the largest federal investment in infrastructure in more than a decade.