Letters

A recent email from Congressman Nick LaLota informs his constituents that he “secured $150 million in direct funding for Suffolk County.” This money will be used to support infrastructure programs for Long Island communities.

Some clarification is in order.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed in November 2021. You might recall that during his presidency former President Donald Trump advocated infrastructure investment — but due to his ineptness in understanding how to get things done in Washington, D.C., meaningful infrastructure laws were never passed. In fact, during his administration, “Infrastructure Week” became a running joke. All talk, no action was never more applicable.

In 2020, Americans wisely voted for Joe Biden and congressional Democrats.

Thanks to a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and a 50-50 split in the Senate (Vice President Kamala Harris casts tiebreaking votes), the infrastructure bill was passed. With some Republican support in the U.S. Senate, but near total opposition by House Republicans — which included Lee Zeldin’s “no” vote — the infrastructure bill was passed and signed into law by Joe Biden.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is historic. Over time, $550 billion will be spent on various infrastructure improvements in the USA. New York will ultimately receive $26 billion.

Many pundits said it would never happen. Too much of a heavy political lift, they said. Fortunately, the presidency is in the hands of a person who has spent years cultivating relationships within his own party and across the Senate aisle. We are now reaping the benefits of that experience.

Across the USA, Republicans are extolling infrastructure projects that are being built in their districts — they’re just leaving out the part about Joe Biden’s never-say-no attitude that made it possible.

Mike Anthony

Westhampton

Anthony is a former chair of the Southampton Democratic Committee — Ed.