Momentum for Build Back Better is Still Building

By Laura Walling, Senior Director of Government Relations, Goodwill Industries International

Final passage of the bipartisan infrastructure framework and House passage of the Build Back Better reconciliation bill appear to be in sight — at least at the time of this writing. If the House passes the bipartisan infrastructure bill without any changes, it will head to the President for his signature.

As a reminder, the infrastructure bill, which passed the Senate back in August, contains many provisions favorable to nonprofits. The bill includes a section on nonprofit energy efficiency, which was supported by a number of nonprofits, including Goodwill. If passed, the measure would create a pilot program to award grants for energy-efficient material upgrades to buildings operated by nonprofits. The bill also includes a new grant competition for eligible entities to pay the federal share of associated career skills training programs, under which students would concurrently receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training for the purpose of obtaining an industry-related certification to install energy-efficient building technologies.

Although less than the amount originally proposed by the Biden Administration, the bill includes $65 billion for broadband support. This includes grants to states for deployment, grant support for rural areas, and grant programs to promote digital inclusion and equity for communities that lack the skills, technologies, and support needed to take advantage of broadband connections. The bill also provides additional funds to the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which subsidizes internet service for households meeting need-based criteria and reduces the subsidy from $50 per month to $30 per month.

If the infrastructure bill results in the creation of millions of jobs in the construction and trades industries, the nation will need a skilled workforce to fill them. That’s where the reconciliation bill, also referred to as the human infrastructure piece, comes into play. We’ve been providing updates on the months of negotiations between progressives and moderates on the details of this plan, and it appears lawmakers are closer to a deal. The House is preparing a vote on their latest version, which if passed will go to the Senate, where it will continue to be amended. Once the bill is closer to getting to the President’s desk, we’ll outline its specific provisions.

As a result of continued advocacy, we’re pleased to report that the House version provides tens of billions of dollars to support workforce development, including training at community colleges, supporting sector and industry partnerships, and investing in programs focused on specific populations —including older workers, people with disabilities, and those impacted by the justice system. As the Senate considers the bill, stay tuned for opportunities over the coming weeks to engage with lawmakers and ensure these investments come to fruition.