Washington D.C., Aug 12, 2021 / 08:30 am
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on Tuesday offered some praise of the U.S. Senate’s passage of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, while critiquing one provision and warning against any funding of abortion.
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chair of the bishops’ domestic justice and human development committee, stated on Aug. 10 that the conference was “grateful” for the Senate’s passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The bill, which totaled nearly 3,000 pages, passed the Senate by a 69-30 vote. It now heads to the House of Representatives for debate and vote.
The legislation includes significant investments in public transit, railways, bridges, and clean drinking water, which Coakley said “reflects an integral ecology.” He also applauded its emphasis on “climate change mitigation, carbon capture and climate resilience,” as well as its initiative to expand broadband internet access and create new jobs.