House Democrats Release $760 Billion Infrastructure Plan

Recently, the House of Representatives Democratic Members released their framework that would invest $760 billion over five years to improve the nation’s roads, bridges, transit systems, railways, airports, ports, inland waterways, wastewater and drinking water systems, brownfields and broadband. They describe this framework as, “an opportunity to get our existing infrastructure working again and fund new transformative projects that will create an estimated 10 million jobs, while reducing carbon pollution, dramatically improving safety, and spurring economic activity.”

Specifically, the framework outlines the following provisions:

• Brings existing infrastructure into a state of good repair and enables the completion of critical projects through long-term, sustainable funding.
• Sets a path toward zero carbon pollution from the transportation sector, creating jobs, protecting our natural resources, promoting environmental justice, and increasing resiliency to climate change.
• Ensures a transportation system that is green, affordable, reliable, efficient and provides access to jobs.
• Provides safe, clean, and affordable water and wastewater services.
• Prioritizes the safety of the traveling public.
• Helps combat climate change by creating good-paying jobs in clean energy, investing in energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas pollution.
• Expands broadband internet access and adoption for unserved and underserved rural, suburban, and urban communities.
• Modernizes 9-1-1 public safety networks.
• Creates family-wage jobs with Davis-Bacon and other strong worker protections.
• Supports U.S. industries, including steel and manufacturing, through strong Buy America protections.  

One of the key pieces in order to move an infrastructure package before the expiration of the FAST Act in September 2020, is finding a long-term funding solution that shores up the Highway Trust Fund. The framework released by the House Democrats is essentially silent on how they propose to fund the $760 billion investment.

One day prior to the House Democrats releasing their framework, House Republicans released their own plan that also seeks to provide a much-needed boost to our nation’s infrastructure projects as well. But with Democrats controlling the House, this will end up being nothing more than a formality.

The Republican controlled Senate already passed out of Committee (Senate Environment and Public Works Committee) a bill last year, that included a climate change title, which was a first. With that being said, the Senate Commerce, Banking, and Finance Committees still have work to be done in order to move a final package.

TIA’s Government Affairs staff will continue to monitor the progress of reauthorizing the FAST Act and the development of a comprehensive infrastructure package. If you have any questions, contact TIA Advocacy (advocacy@tianet.org, 703.299.5700).