Pallone Applauds Passage of the Moving Forward Act
Statement
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 233-188:
"There is no better way to stimulate our economy and create millions of good paying jobs than to modernize our badly aging infrastructure, especially now that millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm proud that the Moving Forward Act included key provisions from the Energy and Commerce Committee.
"This bill will help us rebuild our economy and combat climate change with a more than $126 billion investment in clean energy, energy efficiency and deep decarbonization. Included in that is $20 billion for a clean energy and sustainability fund and a major investment in clean transportation and the development of an electric vehicle charging network. Additionally, it also invests over $47 billion in drinking water programs and infrastructure to get pollutants like PFAS and lead out of our water.
"The Moving Forward Act also appropriates over $100 billion to fund broadband-related programs, including efforts to connect low-income Americans and students as well as tribal areas. It authorizes $12 billion to upgrade our frail 9-1-1 infrastructure for the next generation and enacts critical auto safety programs that could save thousands of lives on our roads each year.
"Finally, this bill provides $30 billion to upgrade our nation's health infrastructure and build new infrastructure where needed. This funding will be used to upgrade hospitals and community health centers, improve clinical laboratory infrastructure to reduce wait times for COVID-19 testing results, support the Indian Health Service and increase the overall capacity for community-based care in America.
"This is a transformational bill that will rebuild our country and economy for the 21st Century, and if the Senate wants to move our nation forward, it would pass this bill immediately."
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