Saunders: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will set our nation on the right course

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on Senate passage of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

“The bipartisan infrastructure package passed by the Senate is a once-in-a-generation investment in rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, modernizing our transportation systems and improving public services everywhere. AFSCME members have been sounding the alarm for decades about the urgent need for this investment. This critical funding will finally allow essential public service workers to keep their communities safe and healthy by improving our highways, roads, bridges, public transit, water systems and so much more. 

“As this bill advances, we look forward to continuing conversations with members of the House and the Senate to improve labor protections, especially where financing incentives may lead to the privatization of public assets.

“AFSCME will also continue working with the White House and Congress on another robust package to invest in our human infrastructure. To empower working families, we must ensure access to quality, affordable child care and home care. And we must provide paid family and medical leave, so that no one has to sacrifice an income to take care of a new baby or an ailing family member. By addressing both our physical and human infrastructure needs, we will set our nation on the right course to truly build back better for everyone.”