Below the Fold - 3 issues in the infrastructure bill

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Hey Below the Fold fam,

By now, you’ve likely seen at least one news story mentioning the U.S. infrastructure bill, officially called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, but also referred to as the bipartisan bill, bipartisan infrastructure plan, and more. If keeping up with its name isn’t hard enough, try keeping up with the actual contents of the bill.

In short, the infrastructure bill ($550B) was meant to encompass roads, bridges, the electric grid, etc., while the reconciliation bill ($3.5T) took care of workforce and housing (through a budget reconciliation process instead of the usual). Some issues, like climate change, are split between the two bills with different policies and programs. And, to confuse a little further, lawmakers have politically tied the bills together to ensure neither are abandoned (aka forcing parties to work together).

Both bills, however, are central to Biden’s economic agenda and have had deadlines delayed while negotiations continue. You can find daily updates through major news outlets, but here are just a few of the many issues covered in the infrastructure bill that give you a taste of its complexity and variety.

ISSUE: TRUCKER DRIVERS

Proposal: Lower age requirement for commercial driving across borders

The Argument: Driver shortages have led some Congress members to propose legislation allowing those as young as 18 years old to drive big rigs (large trucks with an attached trailer). The pilot program hopes to prove how young drivers can safely perform the job.

The Opposition: Highway safety advocates cite an analysis showing that teenagers are more likely to crash cars than older drivers as other critics argue that a driver shortage isn’t the problem at all. Instead, they say the labor shortage is due to the job’s long hours and grueling lifestyle with extended time away from home. Driver turnover is high and even fewer people want the job in the U.S. following the set up of a federal database last year that tracks the drug and alcohol use of anyone with a commercial driving license.

🎬 Take Action

Want to learn more about the pilot for 18-year-old truck drivers? Find the details here.

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ISSUE: U.S. AIRPORTS

Proposal: $25 billion dedicated to increasing airport efficiency

The Argument: Not only are U.S. airports ranked among the world’s worst, but the American Society of Civil Engineers gave America’s aviation system a D+. A group of Republican senators are pushing for $25 billion dedicated to increasing efficiency, from check-in to boarding, and making air travel a little greener.

The Opposition: Progressive Democrats argue that funding could be better spent elsewhere, pushing instead for more funds for health care, education, and climate change. Progressives were, in fact, reluctant to support the $550B infrastructure bill without the promise of the $3.5T reconciliation bill which would include progressives’ priorities.

🎬 Take Action

To learn more about why American airports have such low rankings, read our full coverage in two minutes here.

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ISSUE: PUBLIC HOUSING

Proposal: $40B towards public housing improvement

The Argument: America’s buildings are old. An estimated 42% of public housing properties were constructed before 1975 and put occupants at risk for a number of illnesses including lead poisoning, respiratory illnesses, asthma, and more. In fact, 40% of asthma episodes are caused by preventable triggers in the home.

The Opposition: Decades of underinvestment means the $40 billion can only go so far. In fact, $40B would only cover New York’s needs. And, housing problems are as much quantity as they are quality. There’s not enough housing and it’s a problem more complex than expected, illustrated by empowered homeowners using zoning regulations to prevent new construction of affordable housing.

🎬 Take Action

To learn more about this complicated issue and what’s contributing to the unsafe conditions of American buildings, read our two minute review here.

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RESOURCE CENTER

Vox:
(Where we found this story)
11 days old | 13 minutes long

Wall Street Journal:

U.S. teens driving trucks
1 month old | 11 minutes long

New York Times:
Airport infrastructure funds
2 months old | 11 minutes long

The White House:

Rise in global cyber crime
7 months old | 90 minutes long

NLC:
The reconciliation bill
3 days old | 14 minutes long

Forbes:

Recent tax update
4 days old | 20 minutes long

POLL OF THE WEEK

Do you understand the infrastructure bill in its entirety?
Yes | No

Did our coverage today help you understand more of the bill?
Yes | No

ICYMI (AGAIN)

Yesterday: Rising threat of cybercrime has claimed its first life
Friday: The crypto hamster trading live on Twitch
Thursday: Students speaking up over rise in anti-Black crimes

ASCII-ING ABOUT THE NEWS

(\
 \'\
 \'\     __________
 / '|   ()_________)
 \ '/    \ ~~~~~~~~ \
   \       \ ~~~~~~   \
   ==).      \__________\
  (__)       ()__________)

I like big bills and I cannot lie!

Art Credit: ASCII Art Archive

Below the Fold

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Below the Fold - 3 issues in the infrastructure bill

🎬 Take Action

🎬 Take Action

🎬 Take Action

RESOURCE CENTER

ICYMI (AGAIN)

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