Skip to main content

Davids Joins President Biden to Tout Infrastructure Bill in Kansas City

December 8, 2021

Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined President Joe Biden in Kansas City to tout the bipartisan infrastructure law, which will bring $3.8 billion to Kansas for long-overdue infrastructure projects and create 2 million jobs per year for the next decade. Davids serves as Vice Chair of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and met with the President and senior White House officials multipletimes during the bill's drafting before voting to pass it into law in November.

The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.

Rep. Sharice Davids and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver boarding Air Force One to travel with President Biden to Kansas City

"As we worked across the aisle to pass infrastructure legislation that creates good-paying jobs, tackles climate change, and sets the foundation for long-term growth, I pushed to make sure the Kansas City area was a part of the conversation every step of the way. It was a proud moment to see that work continue today, and to show the President in person how this infrastructure law will impact our region," said Davids. "I'm grateful to represent the Kansas Third District and to have a chance to share our priorities on infrastructure, including the long-awaited US 69 expansion and electric KCATA buses."

Davids traveled to Kansas City on Air Force One along with the President and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05). She joined the President to tour the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to see the impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law on the regional transit provider, which services both sides of the state line. Davids then delivered remarks along with Mayor Quinton Lucas, Congressman Cleaver, KCATA bus operator and Member of ATU Local 1287 Eskew Jackson, and President Biden. Among the attendees were local labor and business community leaders, elected officials, and transportation authorities.

"During our conversation on Air Force One, I shared how current supply chain challenges are especially relevant to an area like the Kansas City metro, where many freight and cargo systems converge. We discussed how the bipartisan infrastructure law will make strides towards improving our domestic supply and shipping systems, but immediate action must be taken to help lower costs for folks in Kansas," said Davids. "I'm proud to work across the aisle and across the state line to help bring jobs and economic growth to our community—and that's what this infrastructure bill will do."

The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.

Representatives Davids and Cleaver join Mayor Quinton Lucas deliver remarks at the KCATA facility before President Biden's speech.

The bipartisan infrastructure law marks the largest investment in America's physical infrastructure in generations, including funding for transportation, water, high-speed internet, and clean energy. The bill is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings and has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Among its provisions for Kansas include:

  • $2.6 billion for highways
  • $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs
  • $272 million to improve public transportation options
  • a minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage
  • access to $3.5 billion flood mitigation assistance program
  • $454 million to improve water infrastructure and ensure clean drinking water across the state
  • $109 million for airports

For more information on the expected impact of the infrastructure law on Kansas, see over a dozen statements of support from Kansas City-area leaders here, and read Davids' State of our Systems reports on local infrastructure needs here.