Bilirakis: House Democrat INVEST Act Advances Green new Deal

Last week, the House passed H.R. 3684, the “INVEST in America Act or the Transportation Inflation Act.” It’s been dubbed as legislation that progresses the “Green New Deal” by some lawmakers that oppose it. Although it did receive some Republican support in the form of two votes, lawmakers like Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R) are raising concerns against the bill.

Names the “most effective GOP legislator” earlier this year, Bilirakis took to social media over the weekend to air his concerns over the recently passed legislation.

“I am disappointed that the vast majority of spending contained within the INVEST Act centers around pushing unpopular, liberal policy proposals – such as the Green New Deal.”

The legislation is marketed as a “comprehensive legislation that would modernize our roads, bridges, transit, rail, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and so much more.” The bill also aims to “move our country away from the status quo and would lay the groundwork for an infrastructure package more for the modern era.”

When the Green New Deal was initially introduced, it received backlash from Republicans and some Democrats, which created Democratic infighting. Members like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D) did not agree with the legislation and even brushed it off. However, some of the initiatives from the Green New Deal are implemented in the INVEST Act, which includes

• “upgrading all existing buildings” in the country for energy efficiency;
• working with farmers “to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions … as much as is technologically feasible” (while supporting family farms and promoting “universal access to healthy food”);
• “Overhauling transportation systems” to reduce emissions — including expanding electric car manufacturing, building “charging stations everywhere,” and expanding high-speed rail to “a scale where air travel stops becoming necessary”;
• A guaranteed job “with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations and retirement security” for every American;
• “High-quality health care” for all Americans.

Bilirakis remains optimistic about both sides of the aisle being able to work out a negotiation for what he believes is better, more effective legislation.

“I remain optimistic that we can continue to dialogue with our Senate partners and develop a better, bipartisan solution that builds upon the good provisions in the INVEST Act and delivers the type of true surface transportation investment Americans expect and deserve,” he shared on Twitter.