Despite the clear need for action, some of Iowa's representatives, including Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Randy Feenstra, and Ashley Hinson, have voted against funding for infrastructure improvements. This obstructionism is not only hindering progress but also raising doubts about the commitment to public safety. On the other hand, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley has supported funding initiatives like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), recognizing the vital importance of addressing Iowa's infrastructure challenges. It is because of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Iowa currently has access to $186.8 million. This is the same funding all but one of our representatives voted against. Luckily, we still benefit from other states’ representatives realizing this problem isn’t going to fix itself. Of that total, Iowa has committed only $29.8 million towards 39 projects as of June 2023. Of the 23,720 bridges in the state, 4,558, or 19.2 percent, are classified as structurally deficient. This means one of the key elements is in poor or worse condition, yet we are only able to work on 39 of 4,558.
Despite the clear need for action, some of Iowa's representatives, including Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Randy Feenstra, and Ashley Hinson, have voted against funding for infrastructure improvements. This obstructionism is not only hindering progress but also raising doubts about the commitment to public safety.
On the other hand, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley has supported funding initiatives like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), recognizing the vital importance of addressing Iowa's infrastructure challenges.
It is because of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Iowa currently has access to $186.8 million. This is the same funding all but one of our representatives voted against. Luckily, we still benefit from other states’ representatives realizing this problem isn’t going to fix itself. Of that total, Iowa has committed only $29.8 million towards 39 projects as of June 2023. Of the 23,720 bridges in the state, 4,558, or 19.2 percent, are classified as structurally deficient. This means one of the key elements is in poor or worse condition, yet we are only able to work on 39 of 4,558.