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Americans 'want to see us get it done': Buttigieg on Biden's infrastructure plan

MOLLY NAGLE
·2 min read
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Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said Sunday that he believes it could be possible to get Republicans on board with President Joe Biden's massive, $2 trillion infrastructure bill that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has already said he plans to fight "every step of the way."

"I'm having a lot of conversations with Republicans in the House and Senate, who have been wanting to do something big on infrastructure for years. We may not agree about every piece of it, but this is one area where the American people absolutely want to see us get it done," Buttigieg told ABC's "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos.

"In my view, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I don't think in the next 50 years, we're going to see another time when we have this combination of a demonstrated need, bipartisan interest, widespread impatience and a very supportive president who is committed," Buttigieg added.

MORE: White House starts selling infrastructure plan to American people

But while Buttigieg said he was hopeful that bipartisan work on the bill was possible, he hinted that passing the measure along party lines was not out of the question.

"One way or the other, we've got to get it done," he said.

The president has already tasked Buttigieg, along with four other members of his Cabinet, to take the lead on selling Joe Biden's infrastructure proposal to the American people -- and Congress.

PHOTO: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks at a news conference in Alexandria, Va., March 30, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP)
PHOTO: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks at a news conference in Alexandria, Va., March 30, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

The policy, dubbed the "American Jobs Plan" by the White House, goes beyond traditional infrastructure projects of repairing roads, railways, bridges and ports, with Biden declaring it a "once-in-a-generation investment in America."

"Working with my team here in the White House, these Cabinet members will represent me in dealing with Congress, engage the public and selling the plan, and help work out the details as we refine it and move forward," Biden said at the top of his first in-person Cabinet meeting Thursday.

MORE: Biden's infrastructure plan tests Democratic unity in Congress

The plan includes $621 billion in updates to modernize roads, rails, ports, airports, mass transit and highways, as well as $100 billion to eliminate 100% of lead pipes.

It also includes $400 billion for community-based care for elderly Americans, a $180 billion investment in clean energy and $100 billion to build out high-speed broadband across the country.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo round out the group of former mayors and governors taking on the added responsibility with Buttigieg.

This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.

Americans 'want to see us get it done': Buttigieg on Biden's infrastructure plan originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

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