– Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) released the following statement after voting against H.R.3684, the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," on Friday night:

“For too long, our federal government has failed to focus its resources on investments that modernize our infrastructure. Americans desperately need true infrastructure like roads, bridges, broadband, and modern shipping and energy production facilities, that grow our economy and will meet the needs of future generations. Yet under the cover of darkness, Speaker Pelosi forced a vote on a massive $1.2 trillion piece of legislation that is estimated to add more than $250 billion to our nation’s projected debt through 2031. 

"What’s more, only 9% of the total cost, or $108 billion, is focused on hardened infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and public transportation. The vast majority of this bill is brimming with wasteful spending that advances radical Green New Deal policies, including billions of dollars for carbon capture programs, federally subsidized electric vehicle charging stations, and zero-emission bus grants for intercity transit. At the end of the day, the bill completely fails to address border security infrastructure and to solve one of the worst supply chain crises of our lifetime. 

“It has been readily known for months that this legislation is nothing more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing that is directly tied to President Biden’s Big Government Socialist tax and spend package, which is why I am deeply disappointed that thirteen members of our conference chose to fall for the Democrats’ ruse after the country made clear their repudiation of Biden’s socialist agenda earlier this week. Had those members stood in solidarity with their colleagues and the Republican electorate, we would have defeated this horrendous bill and likely struck a death blow to the President’s upcoming $1.75 trillion ‘Build Back Better’ tax and spend package, now expected to come up for a vote when lawmakers return to Washington later this month. 

“Now more than ever, Republicans must remain united in defeating the Left’s dangerous agenda that will forever alter the future of this great nation, and I was proud to represent the values of my district in voting 'NO' on H.R. 3684, the Left’s Green New Deal 9% infrastructure bill, which ultimately passed the House by a vote of 228 to 206.”

###