WASHINGTON D.C. (NMB) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester held a press call with the media after reaching a tentative deal with a bipartisan working group on the framework for an infrastructure package of over $500 billion.
Tester says this bill could go a long way towards repairing Montana’s infrastructure, and is confident that funding for rehabilitating the St. Mary’s Works System will be included in the finalized bill.
“It just needs to be hashed out. I can tell you that there is money in there specifically for the water projects. St. Mary’s if I was going to tell you right now, I believe it is, but it just really depends on the details.”
Although Tester said he was proud of the deal that was reached, he wishes money could have been allocated for housing.
“I think housing is infrastructure and I think it’s really important that we get more affordable workforce housing. And it may be addressed later in a reconciliation bill. And I hope it does. I think there are going to be some opportunities to do that.”
Tester, along with four other Democrats and five Republicans, announced the agreement on Thursday at a press conference with President Joe Biden.
Tester says some of the funds for this package will come from unused unemployment insurance relief funds from the CARES ACT, as well as IRS tax gaps which Tester says are “incredibly large.” Tester says there will be no tax increases to pay for this package.
The deal must pass through both the Senate and House before it can go to the President’s desk.
“We’ve gotta get enough folks on both sides of the aisle to get this thing through the Senate. That means we’ve got to have 60 votes for it. And then we’ve gotta get it through the House, gotta get it to the President’s desk. But I think this could be done, working in earnest in July, and getting it done by September. That would be optimal.”
Tester says if that timeline is met, money could begin flowing shortly after the bill is signed into law.
Tester says he believes this will be one of the “most impactful, non-emergency bills in this nation’s history,” with money being allocated to invest in roads, bridges, airports, water infrastructure and broadband.
