Golden, Maine Workers Call for Quick Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) joined workers from the Laborers' International Union of North America at the Piscataqua River Bridge in Kittery yesterday to call on House leadership to immediately bring the bipartisan infrastructure package to the floor for a vote.

"I'm not willing to hold this infrastructure bill and these people's livelihoods and jobs and the future of the country hostage… it's as simple as that,"Golden said during the press conference. "Just get it done. Send it to the president. And let's see this bill signed into law."

"We're not going to let this infrastructure bill sit for the next six weeks, eight weeks, twelve weeks. Once you get a deal, you've got to strike while the iron's hot," Golden continued.

Golden has pushed back against efforts to stall the bipartisan legislation while Congress drafts its reconciliation package, writing to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer that"The potential benefits are too great and the needs too urgent to delay even a day in sending such a bill to the president's desk."

Negotiations on a reconciliation package could stretch on for months, postponing the enactment of this urgently needed, bipartisan package. The legislation passed the Senate with a strong bipartisan vote, has the backing of President Biden, and would make historic and necessary investments in Maine bridges, roads and broadband access.

Members of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) joined Golden at the press conference. Regional LIUNA leadership underscored the urgency of passing the plan:

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework creates millions of skilled, family-supporting construction jobs over the next decade," stated Joseph Bonfiglio, Business Manager for the Massachusetts and Northern New England District Council of the Laborers' International Union. "Congress must act on this once in a generation opportunity immediately. Workers, businesses, and our economy rely on the bold and predictable investment this bill makes into our critical infrastructure."

The bill, which has already passed the Senate, would bring at least $2 billion to Maine, including:

• $1.3 billion for roads;
• $225 million for bridges;
• $390 million to remove dangerous lead pipes;
• $74 million for airports;
• $100 million in funding to for affordable broadband;
• Much more.

You can read more about the bill's impact on Maine here and here.