| WELLNESS CHECK
This edition leans... | | 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. | | 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. | | | 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. | | 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. | | Vox: (Where we found this story) 11 days old | 13 minutes long | | U.S. teens driving trucks
1 month old | 11 minutes long | | | New York Times: Airport infrastructure funds 2 months old | 11 minutes long | | Rise in global cyber crime
7 months old | 90 minutes long | | | NLC: The reconciliation bill 3 days old | 14 minutes long | | Recent tax update
4 days old | 20 minutes long | | | Do you understand the infrastructure bill in its entirety?
Yes | No
Did our coverage today help you understand more of the bill?
Yes | No | | - 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
| | (\ \'\ \'\ __________ / '| ()_________) \ '/ \ ~~~~~~~~ \ \ \ ~~~~~~ \ ==). \__________\ (__) ()__________) I like big bills and I cannot lie!
Art Credit: ASCII Art Archive | | | |
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