Joe Morelle: “Very briefly, I do note that we certainly could have entered into a bipartisan agreement if we didn't care about climate…”

“Very briefly, I do note that we certainly could have entered into a bipartisan agreement if we didn't care about climate change, if we weren't interested in the greatest impact on our carbon footprint by transportation and automobiles, and we create a number of provisions in this bill which we could not get support on, which is why we had to go on our own way. I do also note for my great friend from Georgia, 17 bipartisan amendments are included in this package. So there is bipartisanship, despite the feelings that the White House has given as it relates to this bill. Before I yield, I insert in the Record a May 8 Industry Week article titled, ``Crumbling Infrastructure is Hurting America's Competitive Edge.'' [From Industry Week] Crumbling Infrastructure Is Hurting America's Competitive Edge (By Michael McGarry) With unemployment rates in the U.S. at historic levels due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to invest in areas that help get more people back to work. Today, lawmakers should prioritize the passage and implementation of a comprehensive infrastructure program, as part of a future round of stimulus funding that would immediately provide employment opportunities for many Americans. Even before we started feeling the economic impacts of COVID-19, our country was in dire need of these upgrades.…”