WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S .Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the bipartisan infrastructure agreement after the Senate voted 67 to 32 to begin debate on the bill:

“For too long, America’s infrastructure needs have gone unaddressed as partisan politics delayed efforts to meet the needs of our citizens. No longer,” said Senator King. “Today, our bipartisan group has produced an agreement that will invest in American infrastructure to support our economy, our communities, and our health. From repairs to our crumbling roads and bridges to funding to confront the threat of climate change and additional resources for our ports and public transit, this legislation will make a major difference in the lives of American people.

“I’m particularly grateful for the inclusion of a historic $65 billion investment in broadband infrastructure that I helped to develop, which will help Americans across the nation fully participate in the 21st century economy, regardless of where they live,” Senator King continued. “These provisions to increase access to high-speed, affordable broadband could very well mean just as much to rural America as electrification did for us generations ago. Today’s announcement is an important first step – but there’s more work to do, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to turn this proposal into law.” 

Senator King is a member of the bipartisan group that continues to negotiate the final details of the bipartisan infrastructure framework. Earlier this month, he voted to advance key pieces of the infrastructure package in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, including provisions to support energy storage research and bolster cybersecurity.