Clyburn details benefits of infrastructure deal for SC residents

I often reflect upon my experiences growing up in a parsonage and my public service is guided by many of them.

Recent circumstances have drawn me to Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.”

After less than a year with President Biden in office and Democrats technically in control of Congress, I am beginning to see the substance of many things I had hoped for when Joe Biden was elected, and the evidence is beginning to be seen by everyone.

In March, Democrats in Washington delivered – without one Republican vote – the American Rescue Plan. This comprehensive package began alleviating the economic pain caused by COVID-19 by expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit and lowering health insurance premiums for many in the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

It provided resources to state and local communities for schools and health care facilities.

Last week, Congress and President Biden delivered another essential piece of legislation – the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. While this package was touted as bipartisan, that was not the case with South Carolina’s Congressional House delegation.

I was the only yes.

As a result of this once-in-a-generation investment, South Carolina will receive more than $6 billion in formula funding for infrastructure projects over the next five years. Millions more will come to the state through competitive grant programs.

Federal highways in South Carolina will get $4.6 billion, and $274 million will be available to repair and replace our structurally unsound bridges.

The Governor has already announced that he is committing over $1 billion of those funds to say goodbye to “Malfunction Junction.”

Another $510 million is coming to improve our state’s water and wastewater infrastructure. Public transportation will be improved with $366 million, and the airports will receive $161 million for upgrades.

COVID-19 has exposed the vast digital divide that exists in South Carolina; impacting people’s ability to work, attend school, or to receive efficient and effective health care services.

The House Rural Broadband Task Force, which I founded and chair, worked to ensure significant investments in high-speed broadband and South Carolina can expect to receive over $100 million under this infrastructure bill. But, access to broadband isn’t enough if the service isn’t affordable.

Consequently, we made sure the legislation included the Affordable Connectivity Program, which will help 1.5 million low-income South Carolinians afford service.

The bill also addresses the causes and impacts of climate change. Over the last decade, South Carolina has experienced 37 extreme weather events, costing up to $20 billion.

There are funds in the bill to mitigate flood and storm damage and build resilient communities. South Carolinians will also benefit from the bill’s $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization, which will improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for families.

South Carolina will also receive $70 million to expand the electric vehicle charging network in our state.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan are two historic pieces of legislation that will be game changers for South Carolinians.

The next step is to pass the Build Back Better Act, which will lower the everyday costs that burden working families – from health care to childcare and much more.

Together, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act will lead to 1.5 million additional American jobs each year over the course of the decade.

A lot of lip-service has been paid to infrastructure over the past several years.

My faith teaches, however, that we will be judged not by our words but our deeds.

I am proud of these deeds President Biden and the Democratic Congress are accomplishing on behalf of the American people, and I have faith we’re not done yet.

Congressman James E. Clyburn represents South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District.

This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 12:35 PM with the headline "Clyburn details benefits of infrastructure deal for SC residents."