SMART Statement On Passage of Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act

November 6, 2021

Yesterday the House passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In response, SMART issued the following statement.
Washington, DC— “The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a significant achievement to create and protect good, union jobs in the construction and transportation industries that will be instrumental in rebuilding our nation. Its passage comes as our labor market demonstrates signs of progress and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent. The passage of this legislation will further aid our recovery.
However, there is still significant work ahead. Congress must immediately pass the Build Back Better Act. This legislation will make unprecedented investments in American families and further boost economic growth. The bill applies labor standards to clean energy tax credits, expands registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, invests in high-speed rail projects, addresses indoor air quality in schools and supports workers’ right to organize by making monumental reforms to the National Labor Relations Act.
Congress must fulfill their promise to the American people and deliver on the entirety of President Biden’s agenda by swiftly passing the Build Back Better Act.”