The bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law on Monday by President Biden will bring about $35 billion federal dollars to Texas, over the next five-years, to address infrastructure needs according to materials released by the White House. While the legislation is being labeled a $1 to 1.2 trillion-dollar package, about $550 billion is new spending. The balance was expected in future infrastructure spending.
How much of it is paid for with transfers of unspent funds from other programs is likely to be debated forever. There are no new taxes or fees in the legislation. Proponents of the legislation, including some Republicans, argue it is fully paid for with unspent funds from other programs. Opponents argue those funds would not have been spent, so none of it is paid for. The argument splits mostly along party lines.
The White House released these estimates of what could come to Texas from the bill:
• Federal highway programs: $26.9 billion
• Public transportation: $3.3 billion
• Drinking water infrastructure (and removing lead pipes): $2.9 billion
• Airports: $1.2 billion
• Bridge replacement and repairs: $537 million
• Electric vehicle charging network: $408 million
• Broadband expansion: $100 million
• Wildfire protection: $53 million
• Cyberattacks protection: $42 million
There are funds to improve electrical grid, but it is not clear if some or any of those funds will be coming to Texas.
Senators Cornyn and Cruz both voted against the bill as did all Republican members of the Texas delegation to the House of Representatives.