Miami, Fla.—On the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s bipartisan $2 trillion infrastructure law that went into effect for new construction of roads, bridges, airports, seaports and upgrading public transportation, two local U.S. Representatives have suggested the investment is paying off big time for South Florida.
Miami Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson and Broward County Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, both Democrats, said the historic funding has created good-paying jobs, upgrading infrastructure including bridges and roads, building electric vehicle charging stations, enhanced childcare and protecting the supply of clean drinking water in the Everglades.
It will also expand the availability of broadband internet and replace lead pipes.
But in a twist, Republican lawmakers who publicly blasted the bill and voted against it later requested funding to upgrade infrastructure in their states including Miami U.S. Representatives Carlos Gimenez and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar.
According to CNN, which obtained public records on Republicans and Democrats who requested funding from the act, Gimenez, Salazar, Minnesota Republican Congressman Tom Emmer and GOP Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama clandestinely sent their wish lists to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg seeking a share of a multimillion-dollar grant.
Gimenez and Salazar submitted their funding requests prior to the November 8 midterm elections where they defeated two top Democratic challengers.
They joined several Democrats from Miami signing two letters asking for more money to improve the city’s ports.
Gimenez and Salazar were part of the GOP who campaigned against Biden’s infrastructure law, calling it his multitrillion-dollar socialist wish list.
Salazar released a statement to the South Florida Times, saying serving the best interests of Miami will always be her top priority in Congress.
“While most of the IIJA did not actually fund hard infrastructure and was paid for by deficit spending, I will continue to support responsible infrastructure projects in Florida’s 27th District , like improving port efficiency to continue growing Miami’s economy," she said.
Gimenez couldn’t be reached for comments.
In September at the Democratic National Committee reception in Maryland ahead of the midterm elections, Biden blasted Republican lawmakers for taking credit for projects under the law after strongly opposing his infrastructure bill.
“We got a little help from Republicans, but not a lot, but enough to get it passed," Biden said. "But the truth is, there are a lot more Republicans taking credit for that bill than who actually voted for it." “I see them out there, ‘And now we’re going to build this new bridge here, we’re all for it. And by the way, this new road, and we’re going to have an internet that is going to be all the way.’ I love them but they don’t have no shame."
Cherfilus-McCormick said the historic federal funding is transforming Florida communities.
She said a wide range of projects are in the works including $105 million to upgrade bridges, $86 million through the Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, and $275 million to provide clean and safe water while improving water infrastructure.
She said the funding is vital to Florida after the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Florida’s infrastructure an overall grade of C, including a B for its bridges, a C for its transit and a C for its drinking water.
"Decades of underinvestment have left Florida communities in urgent need of repair and modernization," Cherfilus-McCormick said.
She said she knew the act would benefit Florida and the nation when she voted for it last year.
“One year ago today, President Biden and the Democratic Congress delivered a once-in-a-generation investment to create millions of good-paying jobs repairing, rebuilding and revitalizing our communities,” said Cherfilus-McCormick. “Democrats’ Infrastructure Law is already putting shovels in the ground and Floridians to work in good-paying Davis-Bacon jobs, fixing roads, upgrading public transit, slashing commute times, cleaning up pollution and more. As Floridians mark the extraordinary progress of the last year, I remain committed to working with the Biden administration to ensure these investments continue to reach our communities as quickly as possible.”
Wilson, Biden’s staunchest supporter, said the historic funding is helping "us" build the future to become a better America.
Wilson showed off an infrastructure check in the amount of $18.6 billion to a group of local government officials in March.
"A year ago today, President Joe Biden and House Democrats delivered on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a once in a generation $19 billion investment in Florida’s roads, bridges, rail, ports, and much more," she said. This historic funding is helping us build the future we deserve and a better America."
Wilson said the law is creating millions of good-paying jobs, mitigating traffic gridlock and improved public transportation just to name a few.
She said the act has so far created over 28,700 jobs in her district.
As part of the infrastructure law, Wilson said Florida communities will receive $42 million to build more electric charging stations throughout the state.
"Thanks to this historic investment in infrastructure, we’ll reduce pollution and create good paying jobs," Wilson said.
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