House Democrats released a “Moving Forward Framework” in its fight against the economic ravages of COVID-19/coronavirus that outlines a five-year, $760 billion investment to get our existing infrastructure working again, and fund new, transformative projects that will create more than 10 million jobs, while reducing carbon pollution, dramatically improving safety and spurring economic activity.
“It’s infrastructure investment that is “smarter, safer, and made to last,” they said.
“Make no mistake, this is an incredible economic blow to America,” said Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “What we have done has mitigated some of that damage. But we’re going to need a longer-term recovery package and we have to be more resilient in the future, which we can with this package. This is rebuilding America and preparing us for the 21st century in so many ways. We want to put people first, workers first, and nothing does that more than the investments we’re talking about here.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican, said that the Democrats and Congress need to take a break first. “Let’s see how things are going and respond accordingly,” he said in public remarks. “I’m not going to allow this to be an opportunity for the Democrats to achieve unrelated policy items that they would not otherwise be able to pass.”
President Trump has signaled his support for a large-scale infrastructure bill that would act as a further stimulus on the heels of the government’s previously announced efforts.
The House plan includes:
Modern Highways & Highway Safety Investments — $329 Billion
- Delivers better roads and bridges faster, by prioritizing fixing the broken, outdated infrastructure we already have, including the nation’s 47,000 structurally deficient bridges.
- Modernizes our infrastructure with bold new funding for addressing the most impactful projects and bottlenecks that affect local regions and the national transportation network.
- Invests in reducing carbon pollution from the transportation sector and improving the resilience of infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate change.
- Dramatically increasing the availability of charging stations and other alternative fueling options for electric and zero-emissions vehicles.
- Addresses the sharp rise in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths by making our roads safer for all users.
- Uses modern technology, such as smart traffic lights and innovative materials, to create smarter, more efficient transportation systems.
Transit Investment — $105 Billion
- Increases funding for transit agencies to add new routes and provide more reliable service, encouraging viable public transit options and fewer single-occupant cars clogging highways.
- Increases investment in zero-emission buses to reduce carbon pollution.
- Streamlines project delivery so that our investments get shovels in the ground quicker and commuters see results faster, by reforming the Capital Investment Grant program.
- Provides the investments needed to address the growing backlog of transit maintenance needs, making public transit safer and more reliable.
Rail Investments — $55 Billion
- Expands our passenger rail network, giving travelers a reliable, low-carbon option to travel both short and long distances, including to regions that lack frequent or affordable airport service.
- Invests in Amtrak stations, facilities, services, and modernization of its rail cars, while continuing Amtrak’s legacy of serving long-distance and intercity passengers.
Airport Investments — $30 Billion
- Supports airport investments to meet growing passenger demand and advances FAA’s airspace modernization efforts to make air travel safer and easier.
- Incentivizes the development and use of sustainable aviation fuels and new aircraft technologies to reduce the carbon pollution from air travel.
- Accelerates research into noise reduction efforts in communities near U.S. airports, making communities healthier and more livable.
Clean Water & Wastewater Infrastructure — $50.5 Billion
- Funds building new, modern clean water and wastewater infrastructure by investing $40 billion in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), to address local water quality challenges, with dedicated funds for urban and rural communities with affordability concerns.
- Encourages the use of energy-efficient and water-efficient technologies.
- Helps communities affordably address local sewer overflow and stormwater infrastructure needs, preventing pollution in local rivers and waterways, and disruptions to service.
- Establishes a new EPA program to detect, prevent, and treat discharge of industrial chemicals, including PFAS.
Water Infrastructure (Flood protection, navigation, etc.) — $10 Billion
- Addresses the impact of severe weather events by tackling the backlog of Army Corps’ projects designed to protect communities at risk of flooding, to enhance community resiliency, and to enhance national, regional, and local economic growth.
Harbor Infrastructure — $19.7 Billion
- Funds the essential dredging and upkeep of American harbors, ports and channels – keeping commerce flowing and ensuring U.S. economic competitiveness – by making sure the fees collected from maritime shippers go toward regular harbor maintenance.
Brownfield Restoration — $2.7 Billion
- Helps communities fix up abandoned and contaminated properties for new use, particularly important for the revitalization of economically distressed communities.
Drinking Water —$25.4 Billion
- Protects Americans’ drinking water – particularly for vulnerable communities – by investing in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and programs to ensure clean drinking water in schools, day care centers and on Native American Reservations.
- Provides funding to local communities dealing with PFAS contamination in the drinking water and requires EPA identify and assist these and other communities with effective decontamination techniques.
Clean Energy— $34.3 Billion
- Invests in electric grid modernization to accommodate more renewable energy and to make the grid more secure, resilient and efficient.
- Encourages local communities to invest in energy efficient infrastructure including retrofitting and weatherizing buildings and funding energy efficiency and conservation projects to reduce carbon pollution and put people back to work.
- Strengthens existing energy supply infrastructure and expands renewable energy infrastructure in lowincome and underserved communities to increase climate resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas pollution across the country.
- Supports the development of an electric vehicle charging network to facilitate the transition to zero emissions vehicles from coast to coast.
Broadband & Communications — $86 Billion
- Invests in expanding broadband access to unserved and underserved rural, suburban, and urban communities across the country – connecting Americans, creating strong small businesses, more jobs and strengthening economies in communities that have been left behind.
Public Safety Communications — $12 Billion
- Protects American lives by funding implementation of a Next Generation 9-1-1 system that will allow people to call or send texts, images or videos to 9-1-1 to help first responders and emergency personnel better assess the nature of an emergency and reach people in need.