WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Faith Leaders Applaud Passage of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal – a once-in-a-generation investment that will create millions of jobs, modernize our infrastructure, and tackle the climate crisis – passed the House and now heads to President Biden's desk for his signature.

For far too long, Washington policymakers have celebrated "infrastructure week" without ever following through. The American people made it clear: we need to deliver. The President and Congressional Democrats proved we can.

Faith leaders praised the President and the lawmakers who worked across the aisle to pass the historic legislation, which will make a real impact in communities across the country, and put us on a path to win the economic competition for the 21st century.

See below for what they are saying:

Sr. Donna Markham, President and CEO, Catholic Charities USA: "The infrastructure act, with its focus on a clean environment, jobs, and expanded internet access, takes important steps toward making the economy work for everyone. Many people Catholic Charities serves, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and people living in rural areas, will experience a major improvement in their standard of living with access to telehealth and education programs through expanded broadband." [Statement, 11/5/21]

Dr. Jessica Moerman, Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN): "EEN applauds the House of Representatives for coming together to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The historic investments in this bill will have immediate impact defending our children's health, restoring God's creation, and setting us on the path to a clean energy future fueled by family-sustaining jobs for American workers across all corners of the country. We are grateful to President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Representative DeFazio for their persistent leadership. We thank all the bill supporters, especially the 13 Republicans – Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania; Don Bacon of Nebraska; Nicole Malliotakis of New York; Don Young of Alaska; Adam Kinzinger of Illinois; Fred Upton of Michigan; Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith of New Jersey; Andrew Garbarino, John Katko and Tom Reed of New York; Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio; and David McKinley of West Virginia – who the put the health and security of our children and country first and voted for the bill. This shows climate action can – and should continue to be – bipartisan." [Statement, 11/6/21]

Bread for the World: "Bread for the World today applauded passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which will address the climate crisis, build a more equitable economy, and create countless good-paying jobs. Bread now urges lawmakers to pass the Build Back Better Act. Bread supports important provisions in the act that will help families struggling with hunger and poverty in the United States." [Statement, 11/6/21]

Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Co-Convener, National African American Clergy Network: "Infrastructure bill passage can bring hope & needed restoration of U.S. roads, bridges & broadband. Black clergy are prayerful that the jobs & business opportunities from this critical Act will benefit all Americans, esp People of Color." [Tweet, 11/8/21]

Diane Randall, General Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers): "I'm very glad to see the #BipartisanInfrastructure bill pass the House. This will improve communities across the US and create jobs. Onward to passage of the #BuildBackBetter bill that invests in children and families." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

National Religious Partnership for the Environment: "Congress passed an infrastructure bill yesterday that invests $55 billion for clean drinking water and $150 billion for clean energy advancement and adaptation to the effects of climate change. These are historic investments in protecting God's creation and God's people. #ActOnClimate #Faith4Earth" [Statement, 11/7/21]

Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies: "The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies joins other national non-profits in applauding the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and in particular is pleased to see inclusion of the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act, providing non-profits with the opportunity to access up to $200,000 in federal funds to install energy efficient materials in properties that they own." [Statement, 11/8/21]

American Muslim Health Professionals: "Over the weekend, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in our nation's infrastructure and competitiveness. It will create millions of jobs to help modernize our infrastructure, turn the climate crisis into an opportunity, and put us on a path to win the economic competition for the 21st century!" [Statement, 11/8/21]

The Episcopal Church: "The Episcopal Church applauds yesterday's passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure legislation. This historic bill provides crucial investments in the American people, including funds to help Americans living in poverty lead their lives with dignity, address the climate crisis, and rebuild American infrastructure. In addition to creating a better future for vulnerable people, this bipartisan bill demonstrates that lawmakers can put partisanship aside to do what's best for all Americans. The Episcopal Church supports legislation that protects the most vulnerable, helps to address racial injustice, and provides safer environments for us all to live in." [Statement, 11/6/21]

Rev. Gabriel Salguero, National Latino Evangelical Coalition: "The #BipartisanInfrastructureBill will create jobs & deliver investments in clean water, broadband, & public transit that will positively impact the lives of millions of Latinos. #ClimateChange & infrastructure are important to Latino Evangelicals." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Emgage Action: "Emgage welcomes the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bill is an important response to upgrade our infrastructure and address climate change. As the nation with the largest economy, America deserves these monumental investments in its future." [Tweet, 11/8/21]

Rev. Adam Taylor, President, Sojourners: "The infrastructure deal is a hopeful break bipartisan achievement to repair our ailing physical infrastructure-with clean water, broadband, electric cars, and more. Now Congress must find the courage and resolve to fix our ailing social infrastructure." [Tweet, 11/7/21]

Nathan Diament, Orthodox Union: "Last night (after Shabbat started) The House passed the #InfrastructureBill which includes our new program to support nonprofits making their buildings energy efficient. We @OUAdvocacy applaud this new & important legislation. Thank @SpeakerPelosi @amyklobuchar @SenJohnHoeven" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Friends Committee on National Legislation: "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), passed by Congress on Nov. 5, represents a strong start in upgrading the country's core infrastructure. The five-year, $1 trillion dollar bill ($550 billion in new spending) will finance welcome investments in roads and bridges, rail, public transit, ports, the electric grid, water systems, and broadband. The bill also addresses some fundamental environmental justice challenges, and makes long-needed investments in infrastructure needs for Native American communities." [Statement, 11/8/21]

Interfaith Center of New York: "@POTUS Getting the infrastructure bill passed with its investment in public transportation & emissions reduction is a first step in the US's long journey to do our part for the planet." [Tweet, 11/7/21]

Jewish Democratic Council of America: "Passing the #infrastructure package is a historic step in investing in all Americans and our future. Thank you @POTUS and the Biden administration for your leadership. #BuildBackBetter" [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Rev. Chuck Currie: "If a bridge falls down, the bridge doesn't care if it comes down on a Republican or Democrat. Congratulations to @POTUS and those members of Congress who voted for the critical infrastructure bill!" [Tweet, 11/5/21]

Michael Wear, Senior Fellow, Trinity Forum: "Put aside the politics for a moment…the passage of this Bipartisan Infrastructure legislation is a huge win for the country." [Tweet, 11/5/21]

Dr. David Gushee, Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University: "The new infrastructure law will green US transit, enhance climate change resiliency, fix dangerous roads, bridges, & pipes, expand broadband access, ease supply chain problems, and create jobs. A great achievement by President Biden and all who voted yes." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Jewish Democratic Women for Action: "The bipartisan infrastructure bill has passed, and it's a big, big deal! This means significant investments in our transit systems, new good-paying jobs, clean water for our children, efforts to combat the climate crisis, and so much more. This is a future worth fighting for." [Tweet, 11/6/21]

Latter-day Saints for Biden-Harris: "Last Friday night over 200 House Democrats and 13 House Republicans passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This bill is a significant accomplishment for the Biden-Harris Administration, accomplishing in the first year what the previous administration could not do in four. But more importantly, this bipartisan infrastructure bill is a big win for America." [Statement, 11/8/21]

Catholic Democrats: "Congratulations to @POTUS and the White House team for negotiating a deal to move this transformational pieces of legislation forward." [Tweet, 11/5/21]

Bishop Anne Henning Byfield, African Methodist Episcopal Church: "This Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will rebuild America's roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind. The legislation will help ease inflationary pressures and strengthen supply chains by making long overdue improvements for our nation's ports, airports, rail, and roads. It will drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone gets ahead for decades to come. Combined with the President's Build Back Framework, it will add on average 1.5 million jobs per year for the next 10 years." [Statement, 11/6/21]