Counties Urge U.S. House Vote on Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Counties (NACo) continues to urge federal policymakers to work together to enact the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law.

"We appreciate congressional leaders who have led the efforts on this legislation, and America’s counties continue to urge lawmakers to enact the IIJA’s critical investments,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “We have worked with our partners in the House and Senate to develop this comprehensive bipartisan legislation that will help rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and economy by investing in locally owned infrastructure and preserving local decision-making.”

The bill, which the U.S. Senate passed in August, would accomplish many longstanding county priorities, including:

• A new, long-term surface transportation reauthorization
• Critical new investments in infrastructure, including water, stormwater and broadband projects
• Increased investments in off-system bridges – those that are not part of the federal-aid highway system, and
• An extension of the Secure Rural Schools revenue-share program for three years.

"We urge the House to continue to work toward passage of this historic legislation,” said Chase. “As America’s counties fulfill our vast infrastructure responsibilities, we need a strong federal-state-local partnership to make much-needed investments in building and strengthening infrastructure for the future.”  

Counties play a major role in maintaining critical infrastructure. Counties:

• Own 44 percent of the nation’s road miles and nearly 40 percent of all bridges
• Are involved in the vast majority of public transportation systems and a third of all public airports
• Are responsible for the operation of local water systems, and
• Ensure the safety and resiliency of our communities.  

Read NACo’s executive summary of the infrastructure bill here. See the latest federal transportation and infrastructure policy proposals impacting counties here. Learn more about NACo’s transportation and infrastructure priorities here.