Construction Industry Associations Call on Congress to Act on Infrastructure Plan

After the White House released President Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan earlier this week, many construction associations applauded it as a step in the right direction. Now, associations are calling on Congress to act quickly to pass new infrastructure legislation.

“The President has outlined a needed and thought-provoking proposal to rebuild and improve the nation’s aging and over-burdened public infrastructure. The details of this proposal are important and many, including this association, will seek changes to further improve upon the President’s concept," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. "Yet the most significant aspect of today’s release is that it signals the start of what should be a timely, bipartisan and bicameral process to identify the best ways to fund and finance desperately needed improvements to our public infrastructure.

“This process should build on the many positive aspects of the President’s infrastructure proposal. These include increasing direct federal funding for public works by at least $200 billion over the next 10 years; making improvements to the federal permitting process that maintain strong environmental protections while significantly accelerating project reviews; and finding innovative new ways to use federal funds to leverage additional state, local and private-sector funding for infrastructure.

“At the same time, as the President’s own proposal makes clear, Congress must identify ways to address chronic funding shortfalls affecting the federal Highway Trust Fund that have put needed highway, bridge and transit improvements at risk too many times during the past decade. And Congress must also identify effective and long-term ways to fund other infrastructure improvements that are just as vital to our continued economic success as is the surface transportation program.

“Moving forward, this association will work vigorously to ensure Congress passes a significant, new, long-term infrastructure funding package as quickly as possible," Sandherr said. "Our goal will be to make sure every member of Congress appreciates that our economy will not be able to grow if we continue to allow our infrastructure to deteriorate.”

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) President and CEO Michael D. Bellaman echoed that sentiment.

“ABC applauds the president for sending Congress a plan to rebuild America’s infrastructure. It is now time for lawmakers to develop legislation and policy to efficiently modernize America’s infrastructure and drive economic growth and prosperity for all Americans,“ Bellaman said.

"ABC is pleased that the president’s plan mirrors many of the key principles ABC believes will deliver the most value to taxpayers. For example, addressing regulatory burdens, such as streamlining the federal infrastructure permitting process, will reduce costs and increase the speed of project approval and completion. And expanding efforts to train the next generation of skilled workers will give more Americans the chance to take advantage of the jobs created by these infrastructure projects and help reduce the construction industry’s workforce shortage.

“We look forward to working with the White House and Congress as the infrastructure plan moves through the legislative process."

The Transportation Construction Coalition released the following statement following the release of the Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America and FY2019 Budget request:

"The 31 national associations and trade union members that make up the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) are pleased to see the arrival of President Trump’s long-awaited infrastructure package and budget proposal put forward today. The Administration is wisely seeking to change the dialogue that has been largely absent in Washington for more than a decade and proposing something extra to current programs that aims to improve highway and transit infrastructure performance rather than the focus continuing on just maintaining current conditions. The TCC also supports the President’s outlined efforts to identify procedural changes to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects as well as the expansion of programs to enhance state, local and private sector investment.   

“At the same time the Administration seems to be taking two steps forward, it also takes one, or more, steps back. We oppose the simultaneous call for eliminating transit capital and other transportation construction grant programs put forward in the President’s FY 2019 budget. The same budget points out the need for a permanent resolution to the Highway Trust Fund’s fiscal instability, but falls short of proposing any meaningful solutions.   

“All eyes are now on Congress to send to the President for his signature an infrastructure package, before the August recess, that both provides additional resources to help improve, not just maintain, our nation’s infrastructure. There is no better way to do just that than by passing a package that includes a permanent, growing, user-based Highway Trust Fund revenue solution. The TCC looks forward to working with Members of Congress in the coming weeks to help them do exactly that.”