OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Landmark Measure Includes Rep. Green's Legislation to Permanently Codify the Minority Business Development Agency, 52 Years After Its Creation

Statement

By: Al Green
By: Al Green
Date: Nov. 15, 2021
Location: Houston, TX
Issues: Technology and Communication Transportation Infrastructure Energy

On Monday, November 15, 2021, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) released the following statement:

"I am honored to witness the ratification of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by joining President Biden at the White House today. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in recent history. It will create good-paying infrastructure-related jobs across America to restore our railways, roadways, seaports, airports, and more. In Texas alone there are 818 bridges and over 19,400 miles of highways in poor condition. This bill provides $537 million over five years to Texas for bridge replacement and repairs," Congressman Al Green stated. "Equally as important, this legislation strengthens public transportation for Texans by allocating $3.3 billion over five years to improve our public transportation options across the state."

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act codifies Rep. Green's Minority Business Resiliency Act of 2021, which will establish rural minority business centers and promote economic resiliency for minority businesses by providing supportive grants.

Congressman Al Green continued, "More than 50 years after the creation by Executive Order of the only federal agency dedicated solely to the growth and global competitiveness of minority businesses, the bill signed today by President Biden will permanently establish in federal law the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The codification of the MBDA will boost minority businesses, including minority-owned banks, as they struggle to keep pace with a rapidly changing economy and recover from a global pandemic. Additionally, this legislation establishes an entrepreneurship grants program to fund minority businesses and nonprofits that serve them. I am proud to be associated with this groundbreaking legislation on this historic occasion."


Source
arrow_upward