Duluth New Tribune posts letter from Senator Tina Smith…

As we look ahead to 2022, the historic investments we made this year will power our recovery. The once-in-a-generation, bipartisan infrastructure law we passed this fall will put millions of people in good-paying jobs in Minnesota and across the country by rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, ports, and electric grids, as well as by expanding broadband networks. And the American Rescue Plan that I helped pass into law in the spring gave us the tools to battle the pandemic, restore lost jobs, and reopen our schools and small businesses.

In November, I joined President Joe Biden at the White House when he signed the historic, bipartisan infrastructure bill into law. I also joined him this past month when he came to Minnesota to discuss the transformative impact the new law will have on the lives of Minnesotans, by creating a generation of good-paying jobs and economic growth.

I pushed hard to enact this law because it will make badly needed improvements to our state’s roads, bridges, ports, and electric grids. It provides the support to bring high-speed, affordable broadband networks to Minnesota families and businesses — especially those in rural areas. The new law also includes strong buy-American provisions so things like steel will be mined, melded, and manufactured in the United States.