Members of the North American Concrete Alliance (NACA) and the Congressional Cement Caucus went to Capitol Hill on Feb. 5 to brief the 115th Congress on the state of the concrete and cement industry and infrastructure priorities, according to the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI).
NACA senior officials made the following remarks:
- Infrastructure investment must be done wisely and factor reforms to programs that will extend federal dollars and focus on long-term, nationally significant mega projects; and, address the need for long-lasting and resilient structures and systems.
- Congress must enact a robust and sustainable funding mechanism that addresses Highway Trust Fund shortfalls with durable solutions that stabilize and increase critical surface transportation investments.
- An efficient, well-functioning transportation network is essential to maintaining U.S. economic competitiveness; new funding and financing for long-term investment are critical to economic growth, personal mobility and public safety.
After the briefing, participants were provided further insights into infrastructure priorities by the current Congress.
NACA members in attendance at the briefing included the American Concrete Pavement Association; American Concrete Pipe Association; American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association; American Concrete Pumping Association; Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute; National Concrete Masonry Association; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association; National Precast Concrete Association; Portland Cement Association; PCI; and Tilt-Up Concrete Association.
The Congressional Cement Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).