n the anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law being signed into law, Sam Brown’s opposition to the historic investment in Nevada’s infrastructure that’s delivering good-paying union jobs is back in the spotlight.
According to American Journal News, Brown called the bipartisan legislation a “CCP bailout” and criticized McConnell for “dragging” Republicans into voting for it during his last failed Senate bid. Brown has also attacked the idea of federal funding from the infrastructure law for the Brightline West high-speed rail project, which has bipartisan backing from every member of the Nevada delegation as well as major local business and labor groups.
Nevada State Democratic Party Spokesperson Johanna Warshaw
“Sam Brown keeps finding new ways to show just how out of touch with Nevada he is. Brown would have sided with MAGA extremists and voted no on a historic and bipartisan investment in Nevada’s infrastructure that’s delivering 140,000 jobs, safer roads and bridges, major airport improvements, and faster internet for rural and underserved communities.”
American Journal News: Biden’s infrastructure law is boosting Nevada’s economy. Sam Brown opposed it.
By Jesse Valentine
Key points:
- President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law has invested billions of dollars in the state of Nevada and is projected to create more than 140,000 jobs in the state. Republican U.S Senate candidate Sam Brown opposed the legislation.
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed in 2021 with bipartisan support in Congress. Biden signed it into law that November. As of November 2023, it has provided Nevada with more than $6 billion in federal funds to improve airports, roads, and railways.
- In a September 2021 interview, Brown told KLAS News in Las Vegas, “I wouldn’t have voted in agreement with the infrastructure proposals.” In a November 2021 town hall, he referred to the legislation as the “CCP bailout bail” and claimed without proof that it would take money from American taxpayers and transfer it to the Chinese Communist Party.
- Six days later, in a meeting with the Republican Men’s Club of Northern Nevada, Brown attacked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for supporting the legislation.
- “You know, Mitch McConnell had, I think it was 13 or 19 other senators that he dragged across the line to, it was part of what led to this infrastructure bill,” Brown said. “It takes a serious spine, and it takes serious determination and conviction to stand up against leaders of your own party when they’re leading the wrong way.”
- One Nevada project benefiting from the infrastructure bill is the Brightline West train, a rail service that will connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles, California. It is being financed by a mix of federal grants and private funds. Brightline has committed to using union labor for the project. It is expected to create more than 1,000 permanent jobs.
- In March, Brown tweeted that he opposed federal funding for the project: “With massive government spending driving inflation and hurting so many Americans, we have to be more critical of grant programs like this one for CA-NV rail connector. If it made financial sense, the private sector would be doing this without grants.”
- Representatives for the Brown campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.
