Infrastructure

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, P.L. 117-58) – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal – was passed with bipartisan support and signed into law on November 15, 2021.

The IIJA contains approximately $550 billion in new infrastructure spending, over current spending levels, for a total of $1.2 trillion over five years (Fiscal Year 2022-2026). The bill covers roads and bridges, public transit, freight and passenger rail, safety and research programs that are typically included in five-year surface transportation reauthorizations. Additionally, it makes major investments in drinking and wastewater infrastructure; pipelines; ports and airports; while funding “new economy” infrastructure, such as broadband deployment and adoption, grid security and resiliency, and clean energy programs (e.g., electric vehicle infrastructure and carbon capture).

The bill also includes the historic “Build America & Buy America Act” – a major expansion of domestic procurement preference (“Buy America”) requirements for the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials procured for federally-assisted infrastructure projects. The IIJA includes supplemental appropriations to support many of its authorized programs, while others are left to be funded via the annual Congressional appropriations process.

On October 25, 2023 the Office of management and Budget (OMB) issues updated implementation guidance on the applications of Buy America preference in federal financial assistance programs for infrastructure (OMB Memorandum M-24-02). Agencies are continuing to implement these policies and information about projects awarded funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is provided by the White House webpage build.gov.

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