Joe Biden, U.S. President: “The world has changed. We have to be ready. My fellow Americans today I want you to know we hear you and we see you. The bill I’m about to sign into law is proof that despite the cynics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and deliver results. We can do this. We can deliver real results for real people we see in ways that really matter each and every day to each person out there, and we’re taking a monumental step forward to build back better as a nation.”

“Here in Washington, we’ve heard countless speeches and promises, white papers from experts. But today we’re finally getting this done. So my message to the American people is this: America is moving again and your life is going to change for the better.”

“Because of this law, next year will be the first year in 20 years American infrastructure investment will grow faster than China’s. We will once again have the best roads, bridges, ports and airports over the next decade. It will lead the world into the 21st century with modern cars and trucks and transit systems. We’re going to do this by building again and moving again. Folks, too often in Washington, the reason we didn’t get things done is because we insisted on getting everything we wanted, everything. With this law, we focused on getting things done. I ran for president because the only way to move this country forward, in my view, was through compromise and consensus. That’s how the system works. That’s American democracy. And I’m going to be signing a law that is truly consequential because we made our democracy deliver for the American people. We compromised. We reached a consensus, that’s necessary.”

“Given half a chance, the American people have never, ever, ever let this nation down, and it’s our job to give our people that chance. It’s our job to come together and make sure we remain a nation of possibilities. As I look out in this crowd today, I see Democrats and Republicans, national leaders, local leaders, all elected officials, labor leaders, business leaders and most of all, I see fellow Americans. I see America. Let’s remember this day. Let’s remember we can come together. Most of all, let’s remember what we’ve got done for the American people when we do come together. I truly believe that 50 years from now, historians will look back at this moment and say, that’s the moment America began to win the competition of the 21st century. So with confidence, optimism, with vision and faith in each other, let’s believe in possibilities. Let’s believe in one another and let’s believe in America.”