IBEW Lobbying Effort Hours before House Vote

Passage by the House of Representatives came only hours after the IBEW launched a lobbying effort involving hundreds of IBEW members working the phones in an all-out push for a vote on the infrastructure legislation that ultimately passed both chambers with bipartisan support.

First, President Stephenson convened a call on Nov. 1 with more than 500 IBEW members to urge them to press their members of Congress to support the package.

“Congress must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” President Stephenson told the IBEW members. “I know IBEW members are ready, willing and able to roll up our sleeves and get to work. But we cannot rebuild America on our own. We need elected leaders to understand the urgency of this moment. We need them to take action immediately.”

President Stephenson said it is past time for investment in America’s foundation.

“This is our chance for robust, transformative, job-creating investments in infrastructure,” he said. “Let’s show our elected leaders the power of IBEW strength and solidarity.”

Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Local 163 President Raymond Sipple called three members of Congress who represent areas in the local’s jurisdiction. He said Local 163 members will likely win utility substation work as part of grid upgrades as well as construction work from industrial development resulting from the bill’s road and bridge improvements.

“Pennsylvania’s roads are atrocious,” Sipple said.