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In a rare bipartisan moment, President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package into law on Monday. FCNL General Secretary Diane Randall joined faith leaders and others gathered at the White House for the bill signing.

Passage of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) is an essential step forward. The five-year, $1 trillion dollar legislation will finance needed investments in our country’s roads, bridges, railways, public transit, ports, the electric grid, water systems, and broadband internet.

The legislation also addresses some of FCNL’s top advocacy priorities. $11 billion was allocated for infrastructure in Indian Country, representing the largest investment tribal nations have seen in American history. Critically, this includes $2 billion to expand broadband access on tribal lands—a much-needed provision, as tribal households lack access to broadband at a rate four times that of the general population.

Some highlights on the environmental side include $21 billion to remove pollution from the water and soil; $1 billion in competitive grants to remove or retrofit highways that run through low income neighborhoods; and $39 billion for public transit. The latter is the largest ever U.S. government investment in public transit.

Learn more about how this bill addresses some fundamental environmental justice challenges, and makes long-needed investments in infrastructure needs for Native American communities.