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Key Takeaway
Blackburn voted against the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that is now funding bridge repairs, broadband and net neutrality expansion, and water system upgrades across East Tennessee.
What Tennessee Is Getting Despite Blackburn’s Vote
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has directed substantial funding to Tennessee since its passage. The state has received allocations for over 1,200 bridges in need of repair, rural broadband deployment, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, airport improvements, and water system upgrades. In East Tennessee specifically, IIJA funds are supporting highway improvements along the I-26 corridor, bridge replacements in rural counties, and broadband buildout in unserved areas of the Appalachian highlands.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has incorporated IIJA funding into its multi-year capital plan, and local governments across the 1st Congressional District have applied for and received competitive grants for water infrastructure, electric vehicle charging stations, and road safety improvements. All of this is happening because the bill passed — not because of Blackburn, but despite her.
The 19 Republican Senators Who Voted Yes Without Blackburn
The IIJA was one of the most bipartisan pieces of legislation in the 117th Congress. It passed the Senate 69-30, with 19 Republican senators voting in favor, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Tennessee’s own Bill Hagerty initially engaging in negotiations (though Hagerty ultimately voted No). The bill was the product of months of negotiation between the Biden White House and a bipartisan group of senators. Blackburn’s No vote placed her in the minority of the Senate and against the interests of Appalachian communities that stand to benefit most from federal infrastructure investment.
The Governor’s Role in Infrastructure
Tennessee’s governor oversees TDOT, administers federal highway funds, and sets priorities for state infrastructure investment. A governor who voted against the single largest infrastructure investment in a generation raises questions about whether she would aggressively pursue every available federal dollar for Tennessee’s roads, bridges, and broadband — or whether ideological opposition to federal spending would leave money on the table that other states eagerly claim.
Blackburn Voted No on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — Then the Funds Started Flowing to Her State
In August 2021, Senator Marsha Blackburn voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the bipartisan infrastructure package that allocated $1.2 trillion to rebuild America’s roads, bridges, broadband networks, water systems, and public transit. The law passed anyway with bipartisan support—and Tennessee has since received billions in federal infrastructure funding.
What East Tennessee Is Getting Despite Blackburn’s No Vote
The infrastructure law has directed significant investment to projects critical for communities in Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District. This includes funding for broadband expansion in underserved rural areas, bridge and highway repairs along aging corridors like I-26 and I-81, water and sewer system upgrades for small towns, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. These are investments that Appalachian Tennessee desperately needed—and that Blackburn voted to block.
Broadband Expansion Reaching Unserved Appalachian Households
One of the most impactful components of the IIJA for East Tennessee is its $65 billion broadband investment. Tennessee has been allocated over $1 billion through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to connect unserved and underserved communities. For families in Hancock, Hawkins, and Johnson counties who have been stuck with dial-up speeds or no internet at all, this funding represents a transformational change—one that Blackburn opposed.
Bridge Repairs and Highway Safety on I-26 and I-81
East Tennessee’s mountain roads and aging bridges are safety concerns that the infrastructure law directly addresses. The state is using IIJA funds to repair structurally deficient bridges, improve highway safety on winding Appalachian routes, and expand capacity on congested corridors. For commuters, truckers, and emergency responders in the TN-1 region, these are not abstract policy debates—they are life-and-death infrastructure needs.
Clean Water and Sewer Upgrades Across East Tennessee
Many small towns in the region still rely on aging water and sewer systems that are decades past their useful life. The IIJA included $55 billion for water infrastructure, including lead pipe replacement and clean water system upgrades. Communities across upper East Tennessee are using these funds to ensure safe drinking water—thanks to a law their own senator opposed.
Federal Dollars Flowing to Tennessee Projects
Despite Blackburn’s vote against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Tennessee has received billions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding through the law. This includes funding for road and bridge repairs on Interstate 26 and other critical corridors in East Tennessee, broadband expansion in underserved rural areas, improvements to water systems, and investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Blackburn’s decision to vote against this funding while her constituents benefit from it has been a consistent point of criticism from political opponents. The contradiction between opposing legislation and then celebrating the benefits it brings to your state has become an increasingly common pattern among members of Congress — but it raises legitimate questions about how these votes reflect a lawmaker’s actual priorities versus their political calculations.
Crumbling Roads and Aging Pipes in the Tri-Cities
East Tennessee’s mountainous terrain creates unique infrastructure challenges. Roads and bridges in the region face accelerated deterioration from steep grades, freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy truck traffic. The region’s water infrastructure — including aging pipes and treatment facilities in communities like Johnson City and Kingsport — requires sustained investment to maintain safe drinking water standards.
The governor of Tennessee plays a central role in prioritizing state infrastructure spending, directing Tennessee Department of Transportation resources, and working with federal partners on major projects. Blackburn’s opposition to the largest federal infrastructure investment in a generation raises questions about her commitment to prioritizing these needs as governor. Would she direct state matching funds to maximize federal investments, or would her philosophical opposition to federal spending translate into underinvestment in Tennessee’s infrastructure?
Jobs and Growth From Infrastructure Spending in Tennessee
Infrastructure investment generates significant economic activity beyond the direct construction jobs it creates. Improved roads reduce transportation costs for businesses, reliable broadband attracts remote workers and technology companies, and modern water systems support industrial development. The Tri-Cities region — Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol — has been working to attract new businesses and diversify its economy, efforts that depend heavily on quality infrastructure.
Independent economic analyses have estimated that for every dollar invested in infrastructure, communities see a return of $1.50 to $2.00 in economic activity over time. By voting against the infrastructure bill, Blackburn effectively voted against this multiplier effect for Tennessee’s economy — even though the state ultimately benefited from other senators’ support for the legislation.
Related: See also Blackburn’s vote against the CHIPS Act and her opposition to COVID relief for Tennessee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Blackburn vote against the Infrastructure Law?
Yes. Blackburn voted No on the bipartisan IIJA in 2021, which passed with 19 Republican senators supporting it. The law provides $1.2 trillion for roads, bridges, broadband, and water.
How much infrastructure funding has Tennessee received?
Tennessee has received billions in IIJA funding including hundreds of millions for highway and bridge repairs, broadband expansion, and water infrastructure across Appalachian counties.
Why did Blackburn oppose the infrastructure bill?
Blackburn argued the bill was too expensive. However, it was bipartisan and passed the Senate 69-30 with nearly 20 Republicans in favor.
Sources
- Senate Roll Call Vote: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
- White House: Investing in America – State-by-State Funding Data
- NTIA: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
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