NJ Rep. Gottheimer: Infrastructure Vote A 'Big Win For Jersey'

GLEN ROCK, NJ — As activists and organizers again gathered outside the Bergen County offices of New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, politicians in Washington were poised to pass the 2022 budget, and give the congressman what he and eight other Democrats had been asking for.

The House passed the $3.5 trillion budget bill on Monday, with Gottheimer and the other moderate Democrats voting in unison with the party after threatening to vote against the budget without a standalone vote set for the infrastructure legislation.

That infrastructure vote has been secured, with a date set for Sept. 27.

Gottheimer, who has been adamant that the infrastructure bill is of utmost importance to New Jersey, called the vote a "big win" for the state.

"With roads and bridges crumbling across New Jersey and our nation, this agreement does what we set out to do: secure a standalone vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, send it to the President’s desk, and then separately consider the reconciliation package. This is a big win for Jersey that will help get people to work and shovels in the ground," said the congressman.

He continued:

We have established a path forward that ensures we can pass this once-in-a-century infrastructure investment by September 27th, allowing us to create millions of jobs and bring our nation into the 21st century. With this week’s votes, we will also immediately begin the budget resolution process, which will include key policies, from climate protections to health care to universal pre-K to SALT that are critical for Northern New Jersey. The country has waited far too long for legislation that will actually fix our crumbling roads, bridges, and tunnels, including the Gateway Tunnel, and this deal ensures the House will pass the bipartisan package by September 27th.

But the standoff with other members of his party didn't come without criticism, both locally and nationally. Read more: NJ Rep. Josh Gottheimer Faces Protests Over Budget Stance

Gottheimer's Glen Rock offices were the site of protests last week, led by Make the Road NJ, and organizers from that group were joined by constituents from JOLTRidgewood, Indivisible NJ 5th District, BlueWaveNJ and New Jersey Citizen Action.

On Tuesday, Our Revolution New Jersey, the New Jersey Working Families Alliance and other local progressive activists rallied outside the office again.

But Gottheimer and the other Democrats did gain favor from labor groups like the Bergen and Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Labor International Union of North America, who issued a statement in support of the efforts on Tuesday:

Today’s action by the U.S. House of Representatives sets a date by which to move forward on the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill.

For far too long our nation has failed to invest in the critical, fundamental infrastructure that the American people want, need and deserve. While today’s action is progress, we also know that too often in Congress a certain date is not a date certain.

The working men and women of LIUNA are counting on Congress to seize the moment, finish the job and pass this transformative bipartisan legislation without delay.

We commend Congressman Gottheimer and other Democrats who kept their eye on the prize by resisting efforts to hold infrastructure investment hostage, and by fighting to quickly pass this bipartisan legislation.

With the vote set on infrastructure, the House can now begin work on transforming the budget into what the Washington Post called a "fuller legislative product."

Within the budget, the party has pledged to send funds toward climate change, education and more.

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