In the News

House Democrats passed a sweeping $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill yesterday, which includes funding for everything from schools, hospitals and clean drinking water to broadband and the energy grid.

The climate-friendly legislation stands little to no chance in the Senate, but it does serve as a vessel for Massachusetts lawmakers to present a host of climate-friendly proposals.

“The Moving Forward Act’s investments aren’t just big, they’re smart and responsible too,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal from the floor of the House. “The legislation promotes investment in clean energy technologies, incentivizes the ‘greening of the fleet’ and rewards renewable energy projects engaging in responsible labor practices that prioritize workers’ rights and wellbeing.”

The bill includes a $10-billion plan to boost child care facilities from Rep. Katherine Clark, vice chair of the Democratic Caucus; the Safe Drivers Act from Rep. Seth Moulton, which would improve state-to-state sharing of traffic safety data; the Stop Sewage Overflow Act from Rep. Lori Trahan, aimed at curbing sewage overflows into waterways like the Merrimack River; and Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies from Rep. Stephen Lynch, which would create a task force to develop federal safety guidelines and protect airline passengers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

No floor debate has been scheduled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, nor are there any current plans to attempt to reconcile the House measure with a narrower Senate infrastructure bill that was filed nearly a year ago.