Hyde-Smith voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which provided critical funding for Mississippi infrastructure. The infrastructure bill provided funding for water infrastructure, bridges, roads and rail upgrades. Despite voting against the package, she happily touted the projects that the bill paid for.
Hyde-Smith's fellow senator, Senator Wicker, did vote for the legislation and highlighted that the investments were “badly needed” and “historic.”
2021: Hyde-Smith Voted Against Providing $110 Billion For Roads, Bridges, And Major Transportation Projects, Which Would Include Funding For Highway Infrastructure, Bridge Construction And Repairs, Rail Systems, Including Amtrak, And Transit, Including For Zero- And Low Emission Transit Buses And Accessibility Improvements. In August 2021, Hyde-Smith voted against the Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide $110 billion for roads, bridges and major surface transportation projects, including $47.3 for highway infrastructure and $40 billion for bridge construction and repair; $66 billion for rail, including $58 billion for Amtrak; and $39 billion for transit, including $5.3 billion for zero- and low-emission transit buses and $2 billion for accessibility improvements.” The vote was on passage. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 69-30, resolved differences with the House, sent it to the President and ultimately became law. [Senate Vote 314, 8/10/21; Congressional Quarterly, 8/10/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3684]
Hyde-Smith Claimed That While Many Provisions Would “Help Mississippi,” She Thought That A “Rushed Massive, One-Shot Bill” Wasn’t The Best Or Most Responsible Way To Fix Roads, Bridges, Water And Wastewater Systems. According to Newsweek, “‘Many provisions in this sprawling legislation have merit and would help Mississippi, but voting for it is a bridge too far to cross. We need more infrastructure investment, but I am unconvinced this rushed massive, one-shot bill is the best or most fiscally-responsible way to fix roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, and the electrical grid,’ Hyde-Smith said in a statement.” [Newsweek, 8/11/21]
Wicker Voted For The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. According to a press release from Senator Roger Wicker, “After months of negotiations, the Senate recently passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will make historic investments in our nation’s physical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, ports, rail, and broadband. I voted ‘yes’ on the final package because of the tremendous impact these investments will have in Mississippi.” [Press Release – Senator Roger Wicker, 8/16/21]
Wicker Claimed That The Investments In The Bill Were “Badly Needed” By Mississippi. According toa press release from Senator Roger Wicker, “Mississippi residents know these investments are badly needed. Our state has nearly 6,000 miles of highway rated as in poor condition, and over 1,000 bridges also in poor condition. Commute times in Mississippi are up 5.6 percent since 2011, and crumbling roads are costing Mississippi drivers more in vehicle repairs and operating costs. The investments in roads and bridges in this legislation mean Mississippians will have an easier time dropping off their children at school and shorter commutes to work. First responders will also be able to reach those in need more quickly, potentially saving lives.” [Press Release – Senator Roger Wicker, 8/16/21]
Wicker Claimed That The Infrastructure Package Would Make “Historic Down Payments” For Bridges, Broadband, Ports And Rail. According to the Delta Democrat-Times, “‘At the end of the day, I believe this package will do a great service for the United States and for my state of Mississippi. Republicans and Democrats agree that roads, bridges, broadband, ports, and rail are the building blocks of a healthy economy. This bill makes historic down payments on those core priorities,’ Wicker said.” [Delta Democrat-Times, 8/9/21]
Despite Voting Against The Package, Hyde-Smith Wrote Letters In Support Of Grants Funded By It. According to CNN, “Other senators who voted against the infrastructure bill but also wrote letters to the Department of Transportation in support of grants funded by it: South Dakota Sens. Mike Rounds and John Thune, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey and Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe.” [CNN, 10/11/22]
Despite Voting Against The Package, Hyde-Smith Touted Around $28 Million Awarded To Cities For Road Improvements That Were Funded By The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. According to the Washington Post, “Another previous opponent of the law, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) similarly heralded the roughly $28 million awarded to the cities of Laurel and Meridian for road improvements last month.” [Washington Post, 7/9/23]
Mississippi stood To Receive More Than $3.5 Billion For Roads And Bridges And Another $223 Million For Public Transit. According to Newsweek, “The state stands to get more than $3.5 billion for roads and bridges from the infrastructure measure. Another $223 million would go to public transportation.” [Newsweek, 8/11/21]
Mississippi Was Set To Receive Almost $75 Million In Water Infrastructure Funding. According to Mississippi Free Press, “Mississippi will receive nearly $75 million in water infrastructure funding as part of the recent bipartisan infrastructure bill, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials announced this week.” [Mississippi Free Press, 12/6/21]
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Provided Funding For Clean School Buses Across Mississippi Schools. According to Super Talk Mississippi Media, “Over $36 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been awarded to nine school districts in Mississippi. The grants will help school districts purchase over 96 ‘clean school buses’ that will accelerate the transition to zero-emissions vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities.” [Super Talk Mississippi Media, 10/27/22]
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Provided $13.7 Million For Upgrading Jackson’s Bus Fleet. According to Mississippi Free Press, “Newly improved JTRAN public transportation buses will soon roll through the streets of Jackson, Miss., thanks to a $13.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding comes from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding, provided through the U. S. Department of Transportation Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program, will support the Low-Emission Bus Fleet Modernization Project, designed to replace, expand, and modernize JTRAN’s existing fleet with hybrid and propane-powered buses.” [Mississippi Free State, 7/17/24]
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Provided Over $170 Million In Funding To Improve Bridges And Rail Lines In Mississippi. According to Super Talk Mississippi Media, “Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., announced on Monday that the federal agency is delivering $111,432,520 to replace 13 bridges and rehabilitate another and $59,525,044 to support rail projects to improve railroads. Funding for the bridge and rail projects comes from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Wicker helped negotiate as the then-highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.” [Super Talk Mississippi Media, 10/29/24]