Congressman Horsford Celebrates Wins for Nevada in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEV. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV-04) released the following statement after President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law.

"With today's bill signing, President Biden has put Nevadans back to work rebuilding our nation. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create good-paying union jobs, strengthen our roads and public transit, bring high-speed internet to every family, and protect our vital water supply. Over the coming years, the law will direct federal investments to every part of Nevada, helping every community thrive.

"Two weeks ago, I was proud to be at the table with House leadership as we negotiated the final passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This law makes historic investments that will strengthen Nevada's economy, relieve supply chain pressures, and lift countless families into the middle class. I applaud President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Congressional leaders for their work to see it signed into law."

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will bring significant benefits to Nevada, including:

• Good-Paying Union Jobs. With abundant sunlight and open space, Nevada has emerged as a national leader in clean energy development. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act makes the largest investment in clean energy transmission in history, putting Nevadans to work in good-paying union jobs while diversifying the state's economy.
• Bridge and Road Repair. Nevada has 28 bridges and over 1,090 miles of highway in poor condition, and commute times have increased nearly eight percent since 2011. The average Nevada driver pays $558 per year due to driving on roads in need of repair. Over five years, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will direct $2.5 billion to Nevada for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs.
• Improving Access to High-Speed Internet. Fourteen percent of Nevada households do not have an internet subscription and four percent of Nevadans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will direct at least $100 million to provide broadband coverage across the state. This investment will provide access to more than 123,800 Nevadans who currently lack it. The legislation will also make 825,000 Nevadans (26 percent of the population) eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which helps low-income families afford internet access.
• Improving Public Transit. Nevadans who rely on public transportation spend an extra 134 percent of their time commuting and non-White households are twice as likely to commute via public transportation. Five percent of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will direct $459 million to Nevada over five years to improve public transportation options across the state.
• Protecting Clean Drinking Water. In August, the federal government declared a historic water shortage at Lake Mead, which supplies 90 percent of Southern Nevada's water. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Nevada will receive $403 million over five years to improve water infrastructure and protect clean drinking water across the state.
• Preparing Nevada's Infrastructure for Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events. From 2010 to 2020, Nevada experienced 12 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $1 billion in damages. Las Vegas is the fastest-warming city in the country, and 80 percent of Southern Nevadans in the neighborhoods most impacted by extreme weather are people of color. Nevada will benefit from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization and will expect to receive $8.6 million over five years to protect against wildfires.
• Preventing Cyberattacks. Nevada's economy and businesses are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver $12 million to Nevada to protect against cyberattacks.
• Expanding Electric Vehicle Use. Investing in electric vehicles is critical to the nation's clean energy future. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests $7.5 billion to build out the first-ever national network of electric vehicle chargers in the United States, with the state of Nevada expected to receive $38 million over five years.
• Strengthening Nevada's Airports. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Nevada will receive approximately $293 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years.