WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. This bipartisan bill makes robust investments in infrastructure for the safety and well-being of people in Connecticut. These investments will create millions of American jobs and help to rebuild Connecticut communities.
“H.R. 2 is a monumental investment in our nation’s infrastructure and environmental sustainability,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “Our highways, public transit, and schools are in dire need of infrastructure investment. From providing vital resources enabling the safe reopening of schools, to protecting our children's health by investing in green school buses, to delivering affordable high-speed internet, this bill helps to fulfill our promise to move Connecticut and this country forward.”
“I came to Congress to advocate for the priorities of CT-05; therefore, I am pleased that my amendment to bolster funding for school districts’ access to cleaner school bus fleets was adopted. I strongly urge the advancement of this legislation in the Senate.”
The Moving Forward Act:
- Rebuilds our highways, bridges, transit, rail, airports, ports, and harbors by investing nearly $500 billion to improve safety and reduce gridlock. The legislation also places the United States on a path toward zero emissions from the transportation sector, all while protecting American jobs with strong Buy America provisions and labor protections.
- Invests in our children’s futures by helping to safely reopen and rebuild schools with a $130 billion investment in school infrastructure, while also creating 2 million jobs. This funding is targeted at high-poverty schools that do not meet health and safety standards. This investment of billions in upgrading child care facilities will ensure compliance with current and future public health directives.
- This language includes an amendment cosponsored by Rep. Hayes to study the effect that idling buses have on children’s health.
- Modernizes our energy infrastructure for a clean energy future by investing more than $70 billion to transform our electric grid, promote new renewable energy infrastructure, and strengthen existing infrastructure. These actions will help develop an electric vehicle charging network and support energy efficiency and climate resilience.
- This language includes an amendment sponsored by Rep. Hayes to double the funding for the Clean Commute for Kids Act and triple the set aside for underserved and disadvantaged communities within that allocation. The Clean Commute for Kids Act would help communities reduce emissions from older diesel school buses.
- Invests boldly in affordable housing by directing over $100 billion to reduce housing inequality, to create jobs, to stimulate the economy, to improve living conditions, and increase environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
- This language includes an amendment cosponsored by Rep. Hayes to help retrofit homes to be more energy efficient.
- Expands affordable high-speed Internet to underserved communities with a $100 billion investment which promotes competition, connects children to remote learning, closes broadband adoption and digital skills gaps, and improves affordability.
- Upgrades hospitals and health care infrastructure by investing $30 billion to increase capacity and strengthen care, helps community health centers respond to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies, improves clinical laboratory infrastructure, supports the Indian Health Service‘s infrastructure, and increases capacity for community-based care.
- Ensures all communities have clean water by investing tens of billions to remove dangerous contaminants from our drinking water and invests in new, safe wastewater infrastructure.
- Delivers a 21st Century Postal Service by modernizing infrastructure and pursuing a zero-emissions postal fleet.
- Promotes investments in our communities by spurring private investment through the tax code, through a revitalized Build America Bonds program, expansions of Private Activity Bonds, and significant enhancements to the New Markets Tax Credit and the Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
The bill heads to the Senate where it awaits consideration.
A fact sheet on H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, can be found here.
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Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public-school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year.
Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.