Roads, bridges, internet, rails, and a whole host of other things have been needing upgrading in rural America. It has been a topic of discussion for a few Administrations now. There is no debate that any upgrades are long overdue. However, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was highly debated, and support went along party lines. Now there is much criticism that those who opposed it the loudest certainly seem to enjoy its benefits.
Be that as it may, it is out there and it is investing money into rural infrastructure projects. Iowa 3rd District Representative Cindy Axne (D) was joined on a virtual press conference with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to talk about what benefits Iowa has gotten and will get.
Representative Axne praised Secretary Buttigieg and the Administration for helping Iowa get the funding that it needs during the Biden Administration?s Rural Infrastructure Tour.
Secretary Buttigieg says that infrastructure investment doesn?t mean anything without it getting to everybody, including rural America.
Axne talked about how Iowa is going to benefit from this legislation. Including repairing structurally deficient bridges, upgrading the Des Moines Airport, and more.
Secretary Buttigieg talked about how projects will be prioritized. He says there will be basic criteria, but the states have most of the say on this funding.
There was a lot of Republican pushbacks to the bill. Axne was asked about her feelings that now Republicans like Governor Reynolds touting the benefits to the state. Axne said for her, she isn?t as worried about that anymore, she is just happy to see the funds going out where they are needed. However, she is bothered when she sees people who weren?t supportive of the bill take credit for its benefits.
As for the rumbling that this is the first time the President has showed up outside of a big city, and that he is only pressing these programs and showing up in rural America to secure votes now that he needs us; Axne says that just because the President hasn?t been here doesn?t mean rural America has been ignored. She talked about the legislative initiatives already done in the past two years.
