Remarks by President Biden on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
NOVEMBER 17, 2021
Location: Detroit, Michigan

5:18 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:   Hello, Detroit.  (Applause.)  It’s great to be back.

Before I begin, I just want to mention three pieces of good news today.  First, two of the leading rating agencies on Wall Street confirmed today — not a liberal think tank, two Wall Street outfits — that the economic proposals we put forward for the nation — the infrastructure law we just signed and the Build Back Better plan are being considered this week in Congress — will not add to inflationary pressures in the economy.  (Applause.)

And at one — and here’s what one of the agencies said, and I quote, “The bills do not add to inflation pressures.”  Let me repeat that: “do not add…inflation pressures.”

The reason?  Because the policies I proposed, quote, “help…lift long-term economic growth via stronger productivity… labor force growth,” as well as taking “the edge off of inflation.”

The second point I want to make: We’ve learned today that job growth in the nation has been even stronger than previously reported.

Every month since I’ve been President, I stand — the Bureau of Labor Statistic reports the estimated number of jobs created or lost in the country of that month.  Then they go back and they look at more information and check their estimates against what actually happened and give us an updated final number.

What we found out today is when they looked back at the last four months, we actually created 710,000 more jobs in the country than was previously reported — (applause) — on top of the 5.6 million we already had created and had been counted that we knew about. 

So, it’s good news that Americans are working and wages are up as well. 

Thirdly, with holidays coming — but, by the way — all, sit down, man, if you have you a seat.  (Laughter.)  I’m not used to being President and everybody standing.  I — I’m sorry. 

But Walmart and Target have made public today what they told me about a week ago: that they’re stocked up for the holiday season, their inventories are up, and they’ll have all the toys, food, and other items that shoppers are looking for in the holiday season.  That’s going to happen.  (Applause.) 

So, now, let me begin.  God, it’s good to be back in Detroit.  (Applause.)  And that Hummer is one hell of a vehicle, man.  (Laughter and applause.)  Yo! 

As we used to say in the Senate — and some of my senator colleagues will know, like Debbie — “Excuse the point of personal privilege.”  I came up in an automobile family.  My dad ran the largest automobile dealership — he didn’t own it, just ran it — for 30 years in Delaware.  And so, I was raised on cars.  And I have a 1967 Corvette that I got as a wedding gift when my deceased wife and I got married.  My dad could afford the payments.  He couldn’t afford to buy it. 

But the point was, I thought that was the hell’s bells, man.  (Laughter.)  327/350, 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds.  This truck — three times heavier, 0 to 60 in 3 seconds.  (Applause.)  Woah!  (Laughs.)  And besides, there’s a beautiful red Corvette — maroon Corvette I’m driving home over here.  (Laughter.) 

Yolanda, thank you for the introduction. 

And, President Ray Curry, thank you.  No one does more to look out for American autoworkers than Ray Curry.  And it’s great to be with you today, pal.  And happy birthday. 

And I — (applause) — I want to thank the team here at GM, and especially to your chairwoman, Mary Barra.  Mary, you are a — you’re an incredible leader.  You really are.  Thank you for hosting us at the very same facility where you once served as a plant manager. 

I believe Mary has gotten a promotion or two since then.  (Laughter.)  I know a lot about that as a son of a car guy.  Thirty years ago — forty years ago, my dad managed those dealerships back home.  I used to work with my dad’s operation.  Drive up to the Manheim automobile auction and bring back automobiles.  And I guess I got a promotion too.  (Laughter.)

Look, I got a chance to drive a pretty incredible machine back then.  I thought I — but I never could have imagined vehicles like the ones that I just took for a spin: the first-ever all-electric Hummer, which I first got to check out back in August when GM brought one of the White House — one to the White House lawn — in the South Lawn, along with the electric Ford 150, and the electric Jeep Wagoneer [Wrangler].

Masterpieces of modern manufacturing.  Built by union workers.  And proof — (applause) — and proof that America has what it takes to win the competition of the 21st century.

I want to thank your Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, who’s become a friend. 

As well as I want to thank Representative — where’s Representative Tlaib?  I want to thank her for the passport into the city — into your district.  Thank you.  I appreciate it very much.  (Applause.)

And I want to thank my Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh, for joining me here today as well.

But, let me tell you: The infrastructure law I signed on Monday would not be possible without the Michigan congressional delegation.  That’s not hyperbole. 

Debbie Stabenow –- once again, Debbie delivered for Michigan autoworkers.  She was the driving force to make sure this law included a national network of electric vehicle charging stations.

And Gary Peters — Senator Peters was instrumental in securing a mere $65 billion for high-speed Internet in this law so families in rural Michigan will finally have broadband infrastructure they need to get connected and expand their possibilities for them and their children. 

And Elissa Slotkin — she can’t be here today, but she knows that the competitive edge around the world depends on the strength of our industrial base here at home and the people who run that base.

And Dan Kildee continues to be the leading voice for investing in infrastructure in small towns and communities but — so folks in every part of the state can compete.

And Dan and Debbie are responsible for the additional tax credit of $4,500 for union-made vehicles.  (Applause.) 

And Haley Stevens –- she ran for office to fix Michigan’s roads and bridges.  Well, you’re delivering, kid.  You are delivering. 

And Andy Levin, a former union organizer.  Andy fought like hell to make sure that this law allowed us to start replacing lead pipes in Michigan and all across America.

And Brenda Lawrence was a key fighter in clean drinking water as well.  And we’re lucky to have her leading the Democratic Women’s Conference and serving in the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And Debbie Dingell, a great friend who — whenever I’m in trouble, I call her for advice first.  Now that — when I don’t — when I screw up, it doesn’t mean I followed her advice; it means I may not have followed it.  But, Debbie, thank you for being such a good friend for so long.  Debbie helped drive us across the finish line with this legislation.

Folks, it’s not hyperbole to say that this delegation is laser-focused on your needs — the needs of the people of Michigan and the American people — and your concerns. 

The kind of conversations that take place around your kitchen tables — conversations, as profound as they are, are ordinary: “How am I going to get to work on time if I-75 is flooded again?”  “How can I be sure that my job at the auto plant is still going to be here a few years down the line?”  “How can I afford to get my child degree — a degree beyond high school if they don’t start with the same opportunity?”  And more broadly, “How do we emerge from this pandemic not just with a little breathing room but with real fighting chance to get ahead?”

They’re the things that take place at the kitchen tables I grew up in.

For most of the 21st [20th] century, we led the world by a significant margin because we invested in our people, we invested in ourselves.  But something went wrong along the way: We stopped.  We risked losing our edge as a nation, and China and the rest of the world are catching up.

Well, we’re about to turn that around in a big, big way.  (Applause.)  We’re going to be building again.  We’re going to be moving again.

And, folks, when you see these projects starting in your hometowns, I want you to feel the way I feel: pride in what we can do when we’re together as the United States of America.

And it starts here in Detroit.  In the auto industry, Detroit is leading the world in electric vehicles.  You know how critical it is.

Mary, I can remember talking to you way back in January about the need for America to lead in electric vehicles.  And I can remember your dramatic announcement that by 2035, GM would be 100 percent electric. 

You changed the whole story, Mary, wherever — (applause) — wherever you are.  There you are.  You did, Mary.  You electrified the entire automobile industry.  I’m serious.  You led — and it matters — in drastically improving the climate by reducing hundreds of millions of barrels of oil that will not be used when we’re all electric.

You know, up until now, China has been leading in this race, but that’s about to change.

Because this law — because of this law, next year, for the first time in 20 years — in which American infrastructure investment will be far greater [faster] than China’s — the first time in 20 years.

We’re going to put IBEW members and other union members to work installing a national network of charging stations along our roads and highways and our communities — over 500,000.