Norton Highlights Benefits for D.C. in Historic Infrastructure Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Biden prepares to sign the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law next week, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) highlighted the ways the historic legislation will benefit the District of Columbia. Norton, who is a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the chair of its Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, met with Biden and Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg when the legislation was being written. Under the bill, D.C. will receive $1.1 billion for roads and bridges, $1.2 billion to improve public transportation, the opportunity to apply for $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to electric vehicle charging, eligibility for 164,000 D.C. residents to apply for affordable internet access, $10 million to protect against cyberattacks, and $355 million to improve water infrastructure and ensure access to clean, safe drinking water. Norton emphasized the unprecedented nature of the bill, a breakthrough from simply adding funds to embracing new approaches to transportation and infrastructure.

"I met with President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg when they were writing the historic infrastructure bill, which is now on the president's desk, and I am pleased they listened and included my priorities for D.C.," Norton said. "Funding included in the historic bill will help D.C. improve our roads and bridges, increase the number of climate-friendly electric vehicle charging stations, vastly improve access to efficient public transportation, and provide $355 million over five years to repair and upgrade D.C.'s water infrastructure. The District has struggled with flooding and drinking water in recent years, but the funding from the infrastructure bill will help us ensure that all D.C. residents have access to clean drinking water."

The infrastructure legislation also includes Norton's bill with Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) codifying a ban on smoking, including of e-cigarettes, on Amtrak.

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