IN THE BATTLEGROUNDS: Democrats Laud Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Investments — And Republicans Are Called Out For Their Opposition

Voters in key Senate battlegrounds are reading and watching how Democrats like Sens. Kelly, Warnock, Cortez Masto, and Hassan delivered for their constituents by passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Meanwhile, Republican incumbents and Senate candidates are being held accountable for opposing a plan that will create millions of good-paying American jobs and invest in our roads, bridges, clean drinking water, and high-speed internet. 

See for yourself: 

AZ – KPNX: 

“Kelly spoke to reporters after promoting the Senate infrastructure plan to carpenters union members in West Phoenix with U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.”

AZ – KTAR: 

@Griselda Zetino: HAPPENING NOW- Sen. Mark Kelly and Labor Secretary Martin Walsh tour the job training programs at the Carpenters Local 1912 in Phoenix. They’re also here to discuss how the Senate-approved infrastructure bill will spur job creation throughout Arizona. @KTAR923

GA – WRDW: Warnock comes to Augusta to promote infrastructure plan

• The Democratic senator is traveling across the Peach State on his “Jobs for Georgia” tour to highlight local impacts of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

• He says the legislation will “bring historic repairs and revitalization to Georgia’s infrastructure and grow and support countless jobs in every corner of the state.”

• During his travels, Warnock will highlight federal investments in clean energy transit options and rail, freight, ports and highway connectivity, broadband, and other sectors. Warnock will also meet with military families, students and others to discuss benefits of the expanded child tax credit.

GA – WFXG: 

“Senator Warnock visited the Augusta transit facility and the Augusta regional airport. Warnock said the transit part of the bill is expected to provide around 1.5 billion dollars for Georgia. He says at least 25 million will go towards the Augusta area. He says physical mobility and economic mobility go hand in hand.”

GA – WJBF: U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock updates Augusta’s public transportation leaders on $1 trillion dollar infrastructure bill

• Senator Raphael Warnock was in Augusta Friday talking infrastructure. He toured the city to get an up-close look at some areas that would benefit from the infrastructure bill he helped push through the senate.

• That new bill will allocate funds to our city’s transportation, allowing easy access to areas that are in dire need of it.

• These developments could call for more jobs at Augusta transit. Senator Warnock says funds from the infrastructure bill will also go towards construction projects at Augusta Regional Airport.

NV – AP: Cortez Masto lauds infrastructure bill’s clean energy boost

• Cortez Masto said infrastructure investments, tax credits for renewable energy projects and incentives to site solar and wind projects on former mines would create jobs and protect the environment for future generations.

• Republican Adam Laxalt, who is challenging Cortez Masto in next year’s election and received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump on Friday, said he opposed the infrastructure bill because of its price tag and scope beyond traditional infrastructure like roads and bridges. Cortez Masto noted Republican support for the bill and said Laxalt’s position wouldn’t help bolster Nevada’s economy

• “If you’re against this bipartisan infrastructure package, then you’re against new jobs for Nevada and economic growth in Nevada,” she said.

NV – Las Vegas Review Journal: Cortez Masto: Infrastructure bill will bring jobs, growth 

• “I think if you’re against this bipartisan infrastructure package then you’re against new jobs for Nevada and economic growth in Nevada,” Cortez Masto said…“People in Nevada know who I am…. This is about how we work together in a bipartisan way to find solutions that are important for our families in our businesses here in this state, particularly as we come out of a pandemic that just devastated our economy.”

NV – Las Vegas Review Journal: Cortez Masto hopes to steer Nevada’s transportation into the future

• After taking a ride in a self-driving BMW, Cortez Masto said it was the type of operation she had in mind when pushing for several funding mechanisms tied to the bipartisan infrastructure bill approved by the Senate.

• “It’s around smart communities and smart vehicles a lot of the technology that you have here and that connectivity to smart communities and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles,” Cortez Masto said. “The bipartisan infrastructure package supports resources, investments in that new technology. To me that’s important to Nevada.”

NV – Las Vegas Sun (Editorial): Senate infrastructure bill’s Western water provisions worthy of passage

• One, for which Nevadans have Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto to thank, was to include $450 million in grants for large-scale water recycling projects. Cortez Masto added the funding with an eye toward fueling development of a regional recycled water plant that would provide drinking water to more than a half-million homes in Southern California and Nevada.

• We commend Cortez-Masto for her leadership on water-recycling projects, and the Lower Basin delegates for banding together against the Lake Powell pipeline.

NV – Northern Nevada Business Weekly: In Reno visit, Cortez Masto touts infrastructure bill to business leaders

• U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto wants to not only ensure Nevada recovers those clean energy jobs, but also help the Silver State create thousands more.

• Cortez Masto said the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package…will advance efforts to grow the clean energy sector in Nevada and nationwide. Cortez Masto noted she helped the state secure $6 billion for a battery manufacturing and recycling grant program and $4 billion in electric vehicle charging grant funding.

• Meanwhile, according to an Aug. 23 report from the Associated Press, Republican Adam Laxalt — who is challenging Cortez Masto in next year’s election — said he opposes the infrastructure bill.

NH – Eagle Times: Hassan stresses need for additional infrastructure funds in Claremont visit

• Housing, road and bridge maintenance, workforce development, and broadband were among the infrastructure topics prioritized by city officials and local legislators during an afternoon conversation with Hassan, who visited Claremont to tour the city’s revitalization of historic Pleasant Street, which will upgrade the downtown’s aging water, sewer, and drainage system and rebuild the street level to accommodate greater pedestrian traffic, outdoor dining, seating, and public gatherings.

NH – Union Leader: NH coastal communities may benefit from infusion of federal funds

• A group led by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) used the backdrop of Route 1A near Odiorne State Park Wednesday overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Rye to call attention to the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, and now goes to the House. The measure includes nearly $1 billion for two existing federal programs aimed at protecting coastal communities from hazards like erosion and flooding.

PA – WXPI: Local, state Democrats praise $1T infrastructure bill

• Local and state democrats united Thursday afternoon to praise the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that just passed in the U.S. Senate.

• Leaders say the bill could lead to improved roadways, bridges, repaired water lines and new broadband opportunities for rural communities.

• “It’s going to put thousands of our building trades and workers to work, middle class jobs, middle class wages, family-sustaining wages,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

• He and State Senator Jay Costa criticized Republicans who have opposed the bill, including Senator Pat Toomey, as well as the candidates vying for his seat.

• “There are folks who don’t see this as an opportunity for Pennsylvania,” Costa said.

PA – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: ‘Something we must do’: Pennsylvania Democrats voice support for federal infrastructure bill

• The infrastructure deal could deliver Pennsylvania an additional $11.3 billion in federal highway funding, $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and $2.8 billion for public transit over five years, according to White House estimates released earlier this month. The state could also receive at least $100 million to expand broadband coverage and $171 million to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network.

• “At the end of the day, it comes down to a clear choice,” said state Sen. Jay Costa, a Democrat representing parts of Pittsburgh, the Mon Valley and the South Hills. “We have folks who are running campaigns now and next year saying we don’t want to do this. We have Democrats saying this is something we must do.”

WI – Wisconsin Examiner: Wisconsin mayors say Johnson neglected his job during infrastructure debate 

• A group of Wisconsin mayors say Sen. Ron Johnson neglected to look out for Wisconsin when the Senate recently took action on a major piece of legislation. 

• Earlier this month, the Senate passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that would improve roads, highways and bridges across the country while expanding green energy and access to broadband internet. Johnson said in an interview that he didn’t even read the bill’s text. 

• Superior Mayor Jim Paine, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels said in a statement that Johnson should be more focused on improving the lives of Wisconsinites.
  

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