NWI Times: “Todd Young declared Wednesday he has no regrets about voting against the once-in-a-generation federal infrastructure funding”
Young put partisan process ahead of opportunity to deliver transformational infrastructure investments across Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today criticized U.S. Senator Todd Young for expressing “no regrets” on voting “NO” for President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (BID), a bill he once championed before delivering a last-minute flip flop when it mattered most. Yesterday in LaPorte, Young admitted his “NO” on the BID was due to partisanship and the Republican Party’s opposition to Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. This transformational investment includes expanding broadband internet access, repairing Indiana’s roads and bridges, and providing safe and clean drinking water for Hoosier families. Despite campaigning on these very issues, Young decided to put the Republican Party’s extreme partisanship ahead of a better future for Hoosier families.
Indiana Democrats continue to ask Republicans for clarification on why they describe issues like broadband, roads and bridges, clean water, and Governor Holcomb’s READI program as “socialism”. The only reason Indiana Republicans would oppose these investments would be because it’s a part of laws championed by President Joe Biden and passed by Indiana Democrats like U.S. Congressmen André Carson and Frank Mrvan (and more than 30 Republican Senators and Members of Congress too).
In contrast, Indiana Democrats are visiting small towns across the state to tout how the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, and overall Build Back Better agenda is creating a better future for rural Hoosiers. The Democrats’ “Small Town, Indiana” tour has crisscrossed Indiana and will include a stop in Connersville this evening. Hoosiers wanted action, and Democrats delivered for them when it mattered most.
NWI Times: Sen. Todd Young defends vote against federal infrastructure plan, vows to help Indiana localities get their share of the money
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., declared Wednesday he has no regrets about voting against the once-in-a-generation federal infrastructure funding legislation set to be signed into law in coming days by Democratic President Joe Biden.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is poised to deliver an estimated $8.8 billion to Indiana for road and bridge repair, drinking water safety improvements, expanded public transit services, additional broadband internet availability and severe weather recovery.
But, in the end, he could not join the 19 Senate Republicans and all 50 Democrats supporting the plan on final passage in August because Young believes it opened the door for congressional Democrats to consider enacting an even-larger “human infrastructure” spending measure that Young opposes even more vigorously. […]
“The two were linked together by (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi,” Young said. “And if I ended up enabling the passage of a human infrastructure bill, the people of Indiana would be really upset with me.” […]
“The latest version of the proposal includes continuation of the $300 per child monthly federal income tax credit, federal assistance for child care expenses, more post-high school education and job training opportunities, expanded Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and incentives to speed the transition to clean energy, among other provisions.” […]
When asked whether he believes the child tax credit will enable more parents to stay home to take care of their kids, Young said: “We need to come up with smart solutions to allow them to take care of their kids.”
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