November 15, 2021 

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: jeanette.lenoir@mail.house.gov

c: 202.480.5737 

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement on the official signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the benefits for New Yorkers: 

“This is truly a historic and symbolic moment for our country, and it’s all possible because of the commitment from the Biden administration. The official signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is ushering in an era that will have generational impacts on all Americans, especially New Yorkers who have been hardest hit by COVID-19. The BIF is reaching back and pulling up all those historically left behind in the pursuit of the American Dream, and I’m grateful for this progress. I look forward to continuing this progress with the eventual passage of the Build Back Better Act,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. The benefits include: 

• Repair and rebuild our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
• $175 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options.
• A minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to New Yorkers who currently lack it. 
• 5,375,000 or 28% of people in New York will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access. 
• Prepare more of our infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, cyber attacks, and extreme weather events. 
• Deliver clean drinking water to every New Yorker.
• $685 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years. 

“The president is right, we will Build Back Better stronger and together. In the coming days I will host additional information sessions on the BIF’s specific benefits for my Brooklyn community,” Clarke said.

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Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Taskforce on Immigration, a Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Chair of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Homeland Security.