Washington, April 1, (dpa/GNA) – US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced a massive plan to modernize infrastructure, including the largest jobs programme the country has seen since World War II.
The approximately 2-trillion-dollar package is a « once-in-a-generation investment in America, unlike anything we’ve seen or done, » Biden said in Pittsburgh, in the state of Pennsylvania.
The plan is expected to « create millions of good jobs, » with the White House comparing the size of the investment to when America « won the space race. »
Biden said the plan was necessary to position the United States to « out-compete China, » emphasizing that « we have to do it. »
The package includes the modernization of around 32,000 kilometres of roads, 10,000 bridges, more airports, and electric mobility.
Part of the programme is also dedicated to improving the quality of « crumbling » water systems, electrical grids, high-speed Internet and to quality housing.
« Put simply, these are investments we have to make, » Biden said. « Put another way, we can’t afford not to. »
Biden will need to push the plan through the US Congress. During the election, the Democrats had spoken in favour of a large package to improve infrastructure.
However, for the adoption of such a package, the president will need the approval of around 10 Republicans.
Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell immediately rejected the plan.
