This legislation has it all
Last week, the House passed a monumental plan to rebuild our country's crumbling infrastructure, provide good-paying jobs, and combat the climate crisis.
Long-term investments in transportation and infrastructure create jobs and drive commerce. And when we rebuild systems to be sustainable and resilient, we reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and support vulnerable communities. This bill includes:
My amendment, which was included in the bill, will help individuals who have historically faced barriers to employment – especially women and people of color – get the skills they need for the jobs that will be available in the transportation, infrastructure, and clean energy sectors. This is achieved through increased access to support services and paid on-the-job training programs.
The bill also contains recommendations from the Education and Labor Committee to help rebuild failing school and child care center infrastructure. This will benefit students and staff, and specifically address much-needed earthquake retrofitting here in Oregon. And importantly, it will help facilitate the safe reopening of our schools after the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill includes:
Other critical provisions that will benefit our communities include:
I am encouraged to see that this legislation also includes recommendations from the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. These provisions include:
As Co-chair of the Oceans Caucus, I'm pleased that our work to provide investments in coastal restoration and resilience projects was recognized. This legislation includes:
Thank you for standing with me,
