Chamber, BPC Call for Infrastructure Bill by Fourth of July

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) along with more than 300 national and local organizations sent a letter to members of the United States Congress, urging them to enact a fiscally and environmentally responsible infrastructure package by the Fourth of July that stimulates the economy and improves the quality of life for every American.

The letter states in part, “Our nation must launch a massive investment program in transportation, energy, water and communications technologies. 

“Doing so will repair our crumbling roads, bridges and transit and the current gridlock in our major economic hubs that harm our productivity, global competitiveness and quality of life. It will propel public and private efforts to decarbonize our economy in a meaningful way, address infrastructure challenges with both manmade and natural solutions, and close the digital divide by expanding broadband and internet access.

“This effort also provides an opportunity to ensure the benefits and jobs from infrastructure investments are shared with communities that have borne disproportionate burdens.”

The letter concludes, “As a nation we must be able to build big things quickly to accelerate the economic recovery and build the resilient low-carbon economy of the future. We need a durable commitment and clear strategy.”

There is currently support for enacting an infrastructure bill early this year. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) indicated that he aims to pass an infrastructure bill out of committee by Memorial Day, while others in Congress would like to see an infrastructure bill by March.

The diverse group of organizations includes the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, North America’s Building Trades Unions, the National Wildlife Federation, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, along with other leading business, policy and labor organizations and state and local Chambers of Commerce.

The letter can be read in full here.

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