Chairman David Scott Applauds Rural Priorities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan

The following press release was published by the House Committee on Agriculture on Nov. 16, 2021. It is reproduced in full below.

WASHINGTON - House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the following statement applauding President Biden signing into law the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan:

“I am pleased to see President Biden sign the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan into law. It is a once in a lifetime investment that includes many important and critical provisions that will help to improve long term and short-term movement of goods and agricultural products by updating and upgrading roads, bridges, waterways, and ports as well as addressing the limitations on our livestock haulers," said Chairman David Scott.

“The plan also includes funding to ensure that our watersheds and forests are healthy and productive by mitigating, restoring, and building resiliency to address our changing climate. The watershed funding will help to address the drought conditions and ensure adequate water supplies for agriculture and local communities, and the Emergency Watershed Program money will help address immediate impacts facing local communities from flood and fire damage."

“Included in this plan is nearly $65 billion for broadband deployment, including $2 billion in funds for USDA’s ReConnect program which will continue to support the costs of construction and improvement of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. The passage of this plan will have a great impact on America’s infrastructure and will certainly propel us forward into the 21st century," Chairman David Scott concluded.

Included below are statements of support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan from agriculture and rural groups:

American Farm Bureau Federation (November 5, 2021)

American Forests (November 5, 2021)

American Soybean Association (November 5, 2021)

Family Farm Alliance (November 6, 2021)

National Farmers Union (November 6, 2021)

National Association of Conservation Districts (Nov. 3, 2021)

The National Association of Counties (NACo) (Nov. 15, 2021)

National Association of Wheat Growers (November 6, 2021)

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (November 6, 2021)

National Cooperative Business Association (Nov. 16, 2021)

National Corn Growers Association (November 6, 2021)