President Joe Biden pitched his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, calling it a “once-in-a generation investment in America” in his remarks on March 31.
By raising corporate taxes, Biden wants to increase and revolutionize America’s infrastructure by highlighting affordable housing, cleaner energy methods and railways, as well as creating millions of jobs for Americans.
Biden’s hope is that providing incentives for certain companies to make electric vehicle batteries in the United States will lower the price of electric vehicles — and that will encourage more Americans to utilize electric vehicles since car pollution is one of the country’s largest contributors to greenhouse gases.
In an action he calls the “Clean Electricity Standard,” Biden hopes to attain a clean energy grid that will eventually halt the country’s use of fossil fuels while promoting the use of zero–carbon energy sources.
“Any kind of economic activity or infrastructure change directed at climate change (like greater reliance on alternative energy) is going to take a long time to have an effect, so it’s way too early to tell if there will be a lasting effect,” said Dr. John Holder, a professor in the Department of Political Science.
American railways may also see a big makeover as a result of this proposal. There are plans to add over 30 new routes to America’s Amtrak system, in addition to adding more than 20 trips to existing Amtrak routes. These major adjustments could add daily trips in the Amtrak system to 15 states by 2035, allowing additional areas in the country to be connected by railroads.
While Biden’s plan has the potential to benefit infrastructure, support for this bill is lacking in many areas. Republicans are likely to vote against it if it is brought up in Congress due to its price tag, among other factors.
“I don’t see this getting very much Republican support if any,” Holder said. “This bill has a very broad definition of ‘infrastructure,’ and there’s pretty solid Republican opposition to spending that much.
“To use the example of our congressman, Ralph Norman, he’s opposed not only because of the price tag but because the bill involves ‘things in here that are simply not the federal government’s job!’ (That’s from a statement posted on his Facebook page). The example he uses is funds to rehab and maintain privately owned buildings. I think most of his Republican colleagues agree with him.”
Winthrop University students are excited about a possible change in infrastructure in the country, though some worry about the possibility of Biden’s plan not making it through Congress.
“I think if it is done right, it’ll be a huge addition to the country. It’s America, though, so I honestly do not think that his plan will go through as it benefits everyone and not just the upper classes,” said CJ Wiley, a sophomore business administration major.
Other students are excited about the possibility of a much–needed transportation update throughout the country.
“I’m excited to see whether the Amtrak system will actually be updated. It’s an important part of our country’s transportation, so seeing it be extended and made better would be nice,” said Giselle Mesa, a freshman psychology major.
For something with as hefty of a price tag as this bill, it is questionable whether Biden’s proposal will actually pass and whether the country’s infrastructure will get its revolutionary makeover.
Photo by Jamia Johnson
