March 31, 2019 – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said a “Phase 4” economic-relief package could include “more direct payments” to Americans and spending on infrastructure. “The president said during the campaign and since, infrastructure was a priority for him. So that’s why we believe that in terms of recovery, that’s probably the most bipartisan path that we can take,” Pelosi said.
“With interest rates for the United States being at ZERO, this is the time to do our decades long awaited Infrastructure Bill. It should be VERY BIG & BOLD, Two Trillion Dollars, and be focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country!” Trump tweeted.
“Infrastructure will be an important policy area to watch over the next few months,” analysts at Beacon Policy Advisors said in a note. “With low borrowing rates and a greater tolerance for deficit spending, some sort of infrastructure legislation could be enticing to include in the continuing response to the coronavirus pandemic.”
A year ago, Trump and top Democratic lawmakers reached a deal on a $2 trillion infrastructure plan, but the agreement unraveled within weeks. Earlier this year, House Democrats put forth a $760 million infrastructure proposal.
“In terms of working with the GOP, I think the coronavirus pandemic has really kind of bared a lot of the inadequacies, if you will, with the nation’s infrastructure,” said Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone, who chairs the House Energy & Commerce Committee.