The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, along with its industry partners, attended the annual Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In on May 17 & 18 in Washington, D.C.
The TCC Fly-In provides the industry an opportunity to meet with allies and work in concert to deliver unified messaging to Congress. This year is especially engaging with new members of Congress, as well as Presidency and his Administration. Along with organizational and legislative sessions, Congressional office visits are scheduled for the participants.
Of primary concern to the TCC is America’s crumbling infrastructure. All aspects of the nation’s surface transportation require attention and investment. The lack of a robust, long-term funding mechanism for the Highway Trust Fund is also concerning. While temporary measures have been passed by Congress in recent years, no viable, long-term resolution on how to fund the trust has been defined. CRSI partakes in coalition efforts to fund surface transportation and infrastructure for the betterment of our nation. That issue, along with Buy America enforcement and support of resilient construction measures are the primary talking points among CRSI members and their respective Congressmen.
On May 8, 2017, the North American Concrete Alliance (NACA), along with the Congressional Cement Caucus, presented a briefing on the State of the Industry and Infrastructure Priorities to the 115th Congress. Dr. Mike Mota, CRSI Vice President of Engineering, participated alongside other industry organizations, including the Portland Cement Association, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and the National Concrete Masonry Association.
Reinforcing steel is part of the cement and concrete industry, which directly or indirectly employs about 500,000 people in the U.S. Collectively, the industries contribute about $100 billion to the economy.
