Maine’s governor and the state’s congressional delegation heaped praise on the bipartisan $1 trillion Infrastructure and Jobs Act that President Biden signed into law Monday afternoon.
The law represents the largest investment in infrastructure since the establishment of the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s, legislation that Maine’s congressional representatives predict will have a positive, long-term impact on the state’s system of roads, bridges and broadband services.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was one of the few Republicans who attended the ceremony. She was part of a bipartisan group of negotiators on the bill and one of 19 Republican senators who voted for it.
“Today’s signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a victory for all Americans. When Congress puts America’s needs over politics, we make genuine progress,” Collins said in a statement issued shortly after the signing.
Collins, who is the ranking member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, helped negotiate the text of the legislation as part of a group of 10 senators that included four other Republicans and five Democrats.
“It strengthens our economy without raising taxes or increasing inflation. This legislation will positively impact every American,” Collins said.
Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent, also attended Monday’s signing ceremony and referred to the bill as a “once-in-generation investment in the infrastructure that powers our economy and ties Maine communities together.” He applauded the investment in broadband.
King said investing in affordable, high-speed broadband connections is a fundamental part of modern life. He said the funds will “go a long way to ensuring that every Maine person, no matter where they live, will be able to fully access the economic, education and healthcare opportunities of the 21st century.”
“From roads and bridges to water infrastructure and the electrical grid, these investments will create good-paying jobs and have an immense impact on the day-to-day lives of Maine people across our state,” King said in a statement. “It’s nearly impossible to capture just how much good this will do for the state of Maine, but in the months and years ahead, we will see the legislation’s impact unfold before our eyes and throughout our communities.”
Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, was among several governors who attended the White House signing ceremony Monday.
“This once in a generation investment will help us fix our roads and bridges, expand high-speed broadband, improve access to clean drinking water and build a cleaner, more sustainable transportation network, all while putting Maine people to work in good-paying jobs,” Mills said in a statement.
Maine can expect to receive $19 million over five years to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging station network across the state, Mills said in a news release. In addition, Maine will receive $74 million over five years to improve infrastructure at airports, $241 million over five years to improve public transportation options and at least $100 million to expand high-speed broadband across. The state also will receive $1.3 billion in highway and bridge program funding through fiscal year 2026.
“President Biden has ushered in a transformative era of infrastructure innovation not seen in a generation,” Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, said in a statement. She also attended Monday’s ceremony. “This bipartisan bill will bring $2.4 billion back to Maine for roads, bridges, public transit, clean water, climate resilience, reliable high-speed internet, electric vehicle charging stations and so much more,”
Rep. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, also attended the signing ceremony and called the legislation “transformational.”
“This new law shows that elected officials can still work together: Democrats, Republicans and the White House all worked across the aisle to get things done for the American people. Now it’s time to put this law to work creating good jobs and making groundbreaking investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, broadband, clean drinking water and much more. It’s a big win for Maine and the entire country,” Golden said in a statement.
The $1.2 trillion package includes about $2.37 billion over five years in direct funding for Maine to repair and rebuild battered infrastructure in the state, according to an estimate by the White House in August.
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