Statewide Iowa — Iowa US Senator Joni Ernst says an infrastructure bill that cleared a senate committee this past week includes money for replacing Iowa bridges and repairing some locks and dams.
Ernst is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The panel passed the 287-billion dollar bill unanimously. In addition to infrastructure funding, Ernst says the bill removes “Washington red tape” to streamline project funding.
Several provisions from Ernst were included in the final version of the bill, including funding for lock and dam modernization, additional transportation planning funding and an amendment that will ensure Iowa’s portion of highway funding is maintained. Additionally, the bill includes more than three-billion dollars for bridge replacements, something Ernst says is needed in Iowa.
The bill does include a grant program for charging stations for electric vehicles. Ernst says she is disappointed the provision doesn’t apply to new ethanol and biodiesel pumps.
In the end, Ernst says it’s rare to have a bill pass a senate committee unanimously.
The bill will now head to the full Senate for consideration.
