“The bill that I’m about to sign into law is proof that despite the skeptics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and get results. We can do this. We can. can deliver real results for real people,” Biden said, speaking from the South Lawn at the White House.
“We are taking an important step toward rebuilding a better nation,” the president said.
“Here in Washington, we’ve heard countless speeches and promises and white papers from experts. But today we’ve finally accomplished this. So my message to the people. America is: America is transforming again and your life will change for the better,” Biden said.
Biden thanked and commended several senators who were key in the passage of the bill, including Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio and Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, both all spoke at the event. The president called Portman “a good guy’s hell” and joked that his praise for Republicans wouldn’t hurt Portman because he won’t run for office in 2022.
Notably, Biden also thanked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who did not attend the signing ceremony, “for voting on this bill and talking about how useful and important it is.”
The president thanked several other top Democrats in the House, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and recognized several committee seats, ranking members and governors. He also thanked organized labor, “people who understand this is about jobs. You stood up. Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs.”
The bill, first passed by the Senate in a 69 to 30 vote in August, was finally passed by the House, including 13 Republican lawmakers, on November 5.
Congress returned to Washington on Monday from a week-long recess on a host of key pre-holiday issues, including the passage of Biden’s broader climate and economic agenda. , funded the government before the December 3 deadline and raised the debt limit.
The signing ceremony marked a rare bipartisan gathering, with state and local officials in attendance from both sides of the aisle.
Feelings of the Republican Party. Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rob Portman and Bill Cassidy are among those scheduled to attend. Moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who has played a key role in ongoing negotiations over Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, was also planned there, along with Biden. GOP Representatives Don Young in Alaska and Tom Reed of New York.
Bipartisan state and local officials are also scheduled to attend the event, the White House aide said, including GOP Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland, whom Biden highlighted terms from the package last week. previously in Baltimore, Democratic Governors Kate Brown of Oregon and John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, plus the mayors of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Columbia, South Carolina, Long Beach, California and Chicago, Illinois.
Key business representatives will also join the celebration, including leaders from United Airlines, Ford, the American Chamber of Commerce and other groups. And unions, including leaders of IBEW, Teamsters and United Auto workers, will be present.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a Republican, told CNN the bill would finance his city’s roads and bridges.
“This is a celebration for mayors. We’ve been fighting for a decade to get this massive investment in our nation’s infrastructure. So I’m happy for Congress. and the White House were able to work together to finally get this thing Holt told CNN on “New Day”
Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who has been appointed a senior adviser and will oversee the coordination of the bill’s implementation on behalf of the White House, will also be present.
Landrieu, the White House said, “will oversee the most comprehensive and critical investments in American infrastructure in generations – work that independent experts verify will create millions of jobs.” high wages, while boosting our economic competitiveness in the world, strengthening our supply, and acting against inflation in the long run.”
Top administration officials, as well as the president, say it will take some time for Americans to see and feel the investment results of the bill.
“They’re going to see the impact of this bill – this bill – probably starting within the next two to three months,” Biden told reporters after the bill’s passage, adding that it “would have an impact.” profoundly moved over time.”
This story has been updated with comment from President Joe Biden.
